Vacuum Fundamentals

Welcome to the VACademy - Atlas Copco Vacuum's video learning series on the basics of vacuum science and technology.

Often the first thing that comes to mind when we think about vacuum is either outer space or commonly even vacuum cleaners. But it's much more. It's both a fascinating and frustrating subject. Through our VACademy video series, we will attempt to demystify vacuum science and technology.

The videos in this series are intended to be clear and structured information, reference material and guidance on vacuum basics, commonly encountered scenarios and a mix of scientific principles and practical vacuum applications.

What Is Vacuum? All You Need To Know

Let's start with the most basic question of all - What is a vacuum?

Gas Molecules I Vacuum Pumps

How do gas and air molecules react in a vacuum environment? Let's explore this example using a block of ice.

Gauge Pressure vs Absolute Pressure & Application Types

We explain how pressure on the process served by vacuum pumps for different applications. For instance, when we use a vacuum-like force such as lifting, holding and forming applications then we are using the force of atmospheric air to do the work.

Pick and Place - A team of horses couldn't separate this!

A trip back to vacuum history - Otto Von Guericke and his team of horses illustrate vacuum for Pick and Place applications.

Balloon Experiment - Understanding Pressure & Volume On Different Processes

Let's use a balloon in a chamber to improve our understanding of the relationship between pressure and volume on two different types of processes.

Ideal Gas Law - In & Out

If there were only one equation we needed to learn to understand the fundamentals of industrial vacuum it would be the ideal gas law.

Equalization Pressure - Calculation, Explanation & Examples

Very often we will find two volumes of gas under different conditions. Take an example of a vacuum packing machine which has vented to the atmosphere connected by a valve to a vacuum tank ready to start the next cycle.

Pump Down Times - Vacuum Pump, Equation & Examples

Often we need to predict the time it's going to take for a vacuum pump to evacuate a chamber or process from atmospheric pressure down to the operating vacuum.

Vacuum and Altitude | This Is The Co-relation

If we think of the Earth's atmosphere as a deep pool of air held to the surface of the earth by gravity it becomes easy to picture how atmospheric pressure increases as we go deeper into the pool or closer to the surface of the planet.

Why Do Siphons Have A Maximum Height? Principle, History & Assumptions

Since the ancient Egyptians, we have used siphons to transfer liquid between containers or over barriers. A siphon is a tube which carries liquid with no air and the rule for a successful siphon is that the water level at the outlet side must be lower than the water level at the inlet.

Variable Speed - Load, Flow, Pressure & Power

Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology is one of the key-energy saving features of Atlas Copco vacuum pumps. Here is a simple diagram to compare four values over time – load, flow pressure and power to explain in detail.

Set Point Control - Concept Made Simpler

New variable speed vacuum pumps have opened opportunities to save energy by way of process optimization and possibly the most significant of this is the concept of set point control.

A Trick Showing Principles At Work In A Liquid Ring Pump

Lets look at how a Liquid Ring vacuum pump works with a neat trick using just a bottle, a microwave and a basin of cold water

Vacuum Pumps Explained | How To Compare Performance & More

The types of pumps we normally use are called positive displacement and that means that the pump isolates air at the inlet and displaces it to the exhaust.

Standard or Normal Flow | Vacuum Pumps | Industrial Vacuum

The actual flow rate is a measure of the volume of gas displaced through the inlet of a vacuum pump in a given time.

Centralization of a Vacuum System - WHY?

A central vacuum system reduces the heat and noise in a production hall making safer and more comfortable working environments. It also means much better air quality as new technology significantly reduces oil carryover and removes any exhaust from the working environment.