2.

TECHNICAL DATA

Inlet volume calculations (2)

INLET VOLUME CALCULATIONS (continued from page 2-015)

Example 3 shows the effect of pressure loss in inlet piping and filters on pump capacity.
The customer requires a total capacity of 100 SCFM at a vacuum level of 24"Hg at sea level.
Inlet line losses, including inlet filters are 2"Hg. To calculate the actual pump capacity required
we first make the conversion to ACFM based on 24"Hg. P2= 29.92 - 24 = 5.92"HgA.
29.92 x 100 SCFM = 5.92 x V2 ACFM
29.92
x 100 = 505 ACFM
5.92
Without line losses we would require a vacuum pump sized for 505 ACFM at 24"Hg.
V2 =

If we look at the effect of the inlet line and filter losses on the required pump capacity, the
required capacity increases substantially. First the conversion: P2= 29.92 - 24 - 2 = 3.92"HgA.
29.92 x 100 SCFM = 3.92 x V2 ACFM
29.92
V2 =
x 100 = 763 ACFM
3.92
This shows that the pump capacity needs to be 33% higher to overcome the 2" pressure drop
at 24"Hg.
Note: The above calculations are all based on constant temperatures. If the temperature
varies substantially from one condition to another, a correction needs to be made. In this
case contact our factory for more details.
The table below shows the effect of undersized inlet piping and dirty inlet filters on the capacity
of a pump at four different inlet pressure drops at a vacuum range from 15 - 28"Hg at sea level.
PROCESS VACUUM LEVEL
"Hg

CAPACITY LOSS AT INLET PRESSURE DROP

1"Hg

2"Hg

3"Hg

4"Hg

15

7%

13 %

20 %

27 %

20

10 %

20 %

30 %

40 %

24

17 %

33 %

50 %

66 %

26

25 %

50 %

75 %

100 %

28

50 %

100 %

Copyright 1999 Dekker Vacuum Technologies

935 SOUTH WOODLAND AVENUE, MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360-5672
TOLL-FREE: 888-925-5444 TEL.: 219-861-0661 FAX: 219-861-0662

Please visit our Website at

www.dekkervacuum.com

Page number
2-016

Reference
0105/4