WIGGENS R-16SN Rotary Vane Oil-Sealed Vacuum Pump

Overview

The WIGGENS R-16SN is a single-stage rotary vane oil-sealed vacuum pump engineered for reliable, continuous operation in demanding laboratory and light industrial environments. Based on the proven principles of positive displacement via rotating vanes within an eccentrically mounted rotor chamber, the R-16SN achieves stable ultimate vacuum levels down to 2.5 × 10⁻² mbar while delivering a nominal pumping speed of 240 L/min at atmospheric pressure. Its design follows DIN 28416 and ISO 21360-1 standards for vacuum pump performance testing and classification. As a primary or backing pump, it serves as an essential front-end solution for high-vacuum systems—supporting diffusion pumps, turbomolecular pumps, and cryopumps—and is routinely deployed in applications requiring robust vapor handling, including solvent-laden or mildly corrosive process streams.

Key Features

• Compact, cast-aluminum housing with integrated vibration-damping feet ensures mechanical stability and minimizes transmission of operational resonance.
• Oil-sealed rotary vane architecture with precision-ground vanes and hardened stator surface provides high volumetric efficiency and long-term dimensional stability under thermal cycling.
• Integrated gas ballast valve enables controlled admission of ambient air into the compression chamber, facilitating removal of condensable vapors (e.g., water, ethanol, acetone) without oil emulsification.
• IP54-rated sealed induction motor with built-in thermal overload protection guarantees safe, uninterrupted operation in typical lab environments with variable ambient humidity and temperature.
• Low-oil-mist design compliant with ISO 8573-1 Class 4 particulate limits reduces airborne hydrocarbon contamination—critical for cleanroom-adjacent workflows and operator exposure control.
• Circular, reinforced polycarbonate oil sight glass with calibrated scale allows real-time monitoring of oil level and clarity under operating conditions without shutdown.
• Triple-standard SAE port configuration (3/8″, 1/4″, and 5/16″) enables flexible hose and flange integration across legacy and modern vacuum manifolds.
• Optimized internal oil return path prevents backstreaming during shutdown, eliminating post-cycle oil migration into connected chambers or traps.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The R-16SN is compatible with non-aggressive, non-polymerizing vapors commonly encountered in academic research and QC laboratories—including aqueous solutions, alcohols, esters, and halogenated solvents—provided appropriate cold trapping or chemical scrubbing is employed upstream when handling highly corrosive or oxidizing species (e.g., nitric acid fumes, chlorine, ozone). It conforms to CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. While not certified for ATEX Zone 1 use, its motor and sealing design meet IEC 60034-5 IP54 ingress protection specifications. Routine maintenance intervals align with ISO 13374-1 condition monitoring guidelines for rotating equipment.

Software & Data Management

The R-16SN operates as a standalone analog device with no embedded firmware or digital interface. However, its mechanical consistency and repeatable performance characteristics support integration into validated vacuum control systems via external pressure transducers (e.g., Pirani or capacitance manometers) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). When used within GLP- or GMP-regulated workflows, operators may document pump runtime, oil change cycles, and vacuum decay tests using paper-based or electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for audit trails and electronic signatures. Calibration certificates for associated vacuum gauges are traceable to NIST or DAkkS-accredited standards.

Applications

• Vacuum distillation and fractional evaporation of heat-sensitive organic compounds
• Rotary evaporation and solvent recovery in synthetic chemistry labs
• Freeze-drying (lyophilization) pre-vacuum generation and chamber evacuation
• Thin-film deposition processes requiring stable rough vacuum base pressure
• Leak detection via helium mass spectrometry (as a forepump)
• Membrane filtration and vacuum-assisted sample concentration
• Encapsulation and vacuum impregnation in materials science protocols
• Electron microscopy specimen preparation under controlled low-pressure conditions

FAQ

What vacuum level can the R-16SN achieve with and without gas ballast enabled?

With gas ballast closed, the pump reaches ≤2.5 × 10⁻² mbar at 20 °C ambient. With gas ballast open, ultimate vacuum degrades to ~1–5 mbar but enables sustained pumping of saturated vapor loads.
Is the R-16SN suitable for pumping acidic or halogenated vapors?

Not directly. Corrosive vapors must be removed upstream using a chilled trap or chemical scrubber; prolonged exposure will degrade vanes and oil integrity.
How often should the pump oil be replaced?

Under standard lab usage (≤8 hrs/day, non-condensing loads), oil replacement is recommended every 500 operating hours or semiannually—whichever occurs first. Oil analysis via FTIR or acid number titration is advised for critical applications.
Can this pump be mounted vertically?

No. The R-16SN must be operated horizontally on a level, rigid surface to ensure proper oil distribution and vane lubrication per manufacturer specifications.
Does the pump include an exhaust filter?

It does not ship with a factory-installed exhaust mist filter; however, WIGGENS offers optional oil mist separators (e.g., model OS-1) compatible with the 3/8″ SAE outlet for enhanced environmental compliance.