TIP 0404-55

ISSUED – 2001
REVISED – 2006
REVISED -- 2018
2018 TAPPI
The information and data contained in this document were
prepared by a technical committee of the Association. The
committee and the Association assume no liability or responsibility
in connection with the use of such information or data, including
but not limited to any liability under patent, copyright, or trade
secret laws. The user is responsible for determining that this
document is the most recent edition published.

Performance evaluation techniques for paper machine

liquid ring vacuum systems
Scope

This document describes general techniques for the evaluation of performance of liquid ring vacuum systems on paper
machines. Its intent is to give papermakers a procedure for seeking and eliminating bottlenecks in liquid ring vacuum
systems and implementing optimum vacuum performance by reducing operating costs and increasing productivity.

Definitions

1. ACFM: Actual Cubic Feet per Minute. The measurement of vacuum pump volumetric flow at a vacuum level
2. Orifice Test: Vacuum pump testing method. See TAPPI TIP 0420-12
3. Dwell Time: The amount of time it takes for the felt to travel from the leading edge to the trailing edge of a suction box
slot.

Materials

The following materials are recommended for following the guidelines:

• Flat plate orifice testing equipment, described in TIP 0420-12
• Analog (with a needle) vacuum gauges

Safety precautions

Caution should be taken when performing the orifice plate test. Vacuum may pull the tester’s finger into the orifice hole.

Content

Vacuum Pump Testing

Liquid ring vacuum pumps are the key components of every vacuum system. Efficient performance is necessary for
maintaining optimum airflow and vacuum levels throughout the paper machine. Performance should be monitored to ensure
that liquid ring vacuum pumps are consuming minimum energy to remove maximum water from the paper sheet or felts. The
most effective liquid ring vacuum pump performance test that can be performed in the paper mill is the flat plate orifice test
method. This test must be done with the testing of the liquid ring vacuum pump isolated from the paper machine.

To summarize, an orifice plate or plates are placed on the liquid ring vacuum pump inlets. These plates contain a series of
bored holes that are calibrated to allow specified air flows over the entire range of vacuum levels of a liquid ring vacuum
pump. This test gives the papermaker performance data to compare to the manufacturer’s performance curve of the liquid
ring vacuum pump and to insure that necessary air flow requirements are being met. The orifice plate test method is
described in TIP 0420-12. Most liquid ring vacuum pump suppliers offer pump field tests as a service.

A boroscope can be used to visually inspect mineral or pulp deposits and corrosion or erosion of rotor and cone surfaces. A
rough estimation of liquid ring vacuum pump capacity can be determined by evaluating these internal conditions. This
method allows for an easier, although less accurate determination of liquid ring pump efficiency.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
TIP Category: Automatically Periodically Reviewed (Ten Years)
 TIP 0404-55 Performance evaluation techniques / 2
for paper machine vacuum systems

Dimensions, fixed and variable

All formula derived dimensions of the vacuum system in this TIP are calculated for design and manufacturing as fixed.
There are also four very important variable dimensions that change with time. They are:
1. The clearance of rotor vane to cone surface which increases with time.
2. The radial length of the water piston in the seal segment from the inner housing wall land area to the cone surface
land area which is controlled by the seal water linear regulating control valve.
3. The amount of seal water flow, gpm or liters per minute to develop maximum stable vacuum develops variable
thicknesses of water between the inner vane surfaces and the cone outer surface. This very important dimension of
seal water compresses gases from leaking backward to following compression chambers between vanes.
4. The seal water control valve opening which changes to develop maximum stable vacuum.

1. Rotor Vane and Cone clearance in the Seal Segment

The rotor vane to cone surface clearance distance in the seal segment is affected by corrosion – erosion and increases with
time. This clearance is the most important vacuum system dimension, because with time, cast iron rotor to cone clearance
widens from erosion of iron oxide (rust) and decreases new inlet vacuum airflow performance continually over years’ time.
An iron rotor-cone pump can easily lose 30% to 50% of original capacity over ten to twenty years, by high pressure discharge
gas from the discharge segment slipping into the inlet segment and blocking new inlet gas from entering the pump. Over ten
years, stainless steel holds this clearance by forming dynamically hardened chromic oxide, and may lose only 5% to 10% of
vacuum airflow performance.

Pump Inlet (Vacuum Gas) Pump Inlet (Vacuum Gas)

Cone
Cone
Inlet Inlet
Port Port
Rusty Cone
Stainless
Cone
Vaneslip
(Wasteful)
Seal
Seal
Segment
Segment

A Rusty Worn
Pump Discharge (Pressure Iron Rotor Pump Discharge
Stainless Rotor Vane gas higher than atmospheric) Vane (Pressure gas higher
than atmospheric)

®
Note: The above copyrighted images are used with consent of Vooner FloGard Corporation , dba Vooner Paper Machinery.

2. The Radial length of the water piston in the seal segment must equal the distance from the inner surface of the housing
land area to the cone surface in the seal segment. As shown above, if the length of the piston is short then Vaneslip will
occur. For each side of the liquid ring vacuum pump, increasing seal water flow with two regulating valves (linear
relation of % open relates to % flow) will increase the length of these pistons.

3. The sufficient variable amount of seal water needed is described as, “enough seal water to develop a maximum stable
vacuum.” To see “maximum stable vacuum” two analog (with needle) vacuum gages need to be read for each end of the
pump as the regulating valves are changed. If the needle flutters, then there is not enough seal water and the regulating
valve needs to be opened slowly until the needle is “pegged” or still. If you continue to open the regulating valve and no
more vacuum is achieved, then there is too much water, and the regulating valve can be turned back to reduce flow until
the needle just begins to flutter again, then increase again slightly for maximum stable vacuum.
3 / Performance evaluation techniques TIP 0404-55

4. Variable control of seal water flow is a significant component (yet often overlooked) to the successful operation of the
liquid ring vacuum pump for improving vacuum system productivity and reliability:
a. No control device usually means too much water is used in the pump
b. An “on – off” shut off ball valve gives no variable control, only on or off
c. A single orifice disc in a union joint is set for one nominal flow probably recommended by the manufacturer
technical data sheet. This flow rate is given for supply planning.
d. A linear (% open relates to % of flow) regulating valve allows setting optimal seal water flow rate from when
the pump is new to making adjustments for opening of the vane to cone surface over as is gradually will change
over years of service.

Evaluating Liquid Ring Pump Tests and Performance Estimates

Capacity comparisons are made at the actual rotational speed (RPM) of the liquid ring vacuum pump. Liquid ring pump test
results should be compared to original capacity at the optimum vacuum level for each application. By dividing the actual
tested capacity, m3/hr (ACFM), by the capacity, m3/hr (ACFM), shown on the liquid ring vacuum pump manufacturer’s
performance curve, the % of original capacity obtained. For example, if a liquid ring vacuum pump designed to have a
capacity of 5,950 m3/hr (3,500 ACFM) at 380 mm Hg (15 inches Hg) vacuum only tested at 5,100 m3/hr (3,000 ACFM) at
380 mm Hg (15 inches Hg) vacuum, this pump is said to be at eighty-six percent (86%) of original capacity at that vacuum
level.

Calculating Vacuum Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Operating Costs

The two primary operating costs associated with liquid ring vacuum pumps are energy and seal water. Use Equation 1 to
calculate annual energy costs for liquid ring vacuum pump operation.

Equation 1:
$Ea = kW x $UR x hr x day $Ea = BHP x 0.746 x $UR x hr x day
where: where:
$Ea = Annual energy cost $Ea = Annual energy cost
kW = pump kilowatt usage from curve BHP = pump horsepower from curve
$UR = utility rate at mill in $/kW•hr $UR = utility rate at mill in $/kW•hr
hr = operation hours per day hr = operation hours per day
day = operation days per year day = operation days per year

To calculate the annual seal water costs for liquid ring vacuum pump operation, use Equation 2.

Equation 2:
$SWa = l/min x 60 x $SWr x hr x day $SWa = gpm x 60 x $SWr x hr x day
where: where:
$SWa = Annual Seal Water Cost $SWa = Annual Seal Water Cost
l/min = seal water flow gpm = seal water flow
$SWr = seal water cost rate, $/1000 liters $SWr = seal water cost, $/1000 gallons
hr = operation hours per day hr = operation hours per day
day = operation days per year day = operation days per year

After calculating the energy and seal water costs for each liquid ring vacuum pump, they can be summed to give the total cost
for operating the liquid ring vacuum pumps for the entire machine.

Calculating Wasted Operating Costs

As liquid ring vacuum pumps lose capacity due to erosion or corrosion on the rotor and cone surfaces, they continue to
consume the same horsepower and require the same seal water flow as if the pump were new. The result is wasted energy
and water costs. When evaluating total liquid ring vacuum system operating costs, it is important to establish how much of
the operating costs are being wasted on inefficient liquid ring vacuum pumps. From the example above, the 86% capacity
pump is wasting 14% of these operating costs. From the performance curve it is found that the 86% capacity pump is
consuming 215 kW (160 BHP). Because the pump is producing 14% less capacity as a new pump, it is wasting 14% of the
power or 30.1 kW (22.4 BHP). This principle is also true for the seal water flow. If the liquid ring pump mentioned requires
227 l/min (60 gpm) of seal water flow for operation, 32l/min (4 gpm) is being wasted on inefficiency.
TIP 0404-55 Performance evaluation techniques / 4
for paper machine vacuum systems

The next step is to calculate the wasted operating costs by using Equations 3 and 4.

Equation 3:
$Ewa = $Ea x (1-%OC)
where:
$Ewa = Annual Wasted Energy Cost
$Ea = annual energy costs from Eq.1
%OC = liquid ring vacuum pump % original capacity from pump test

Equation 4:
$SWwa = $SWa x (1-%OC)
where:
$SWwa = annual wasted seal water cost
$SWa = annual seal water costs from Eq.2
%OC = liquid ring vacuum pump % of original capacity from pump test

The following figure shows vacuum pump drive horsepower is the same with a new and an old pump but that the worn pump
supplies much lower volume. (6). This data was derived from Vooner’s variable speed test stand, Charlotte, NC. The equal
amount of power, shown for new and worn pumps, was attributed to increasing the seal water for maximum stable vacuum.
For extreme poor rotor – cone clearances, increasing the seal water 100% ended up pushing the excess water out the
discharge port and increased the power consumption by 10%.

Note: The above copyrighted figure is used with consent of Vooner FloGard Corporation®, dba Vooner Paper Machinery.
5 / Performance evaluation techniques TIP 0404-55

More detail is available regarding vacuum pump operating cost in “The Full Operating Costs of Liquid
Ring Vacuum Pumps” located in the 1995 TAPPI Engineering Conference Proceedings.

Suction (Uhle) Box Sizing

The heart of the vacuum dewatering system is the vacuum box itself. The system design starts at the box. This is where the
force of atmospheric pressure pushes itself and entrained water through saturated fabric, and is reduced to vacuum (pressure
less than atmospheric) as it enters the box. Properly sized felt suction or uhle boxes according to this TIP are critical to
insure that felt de-watering is maximized. There are two sizing parameters that should be evaluated: box diameter and slot
width.

Box Diameter
The velocity of the water/air mixture flowing through the felt suction box should be below 1,065 m/min (3,500 ft/min). By
knowing the airflow, m3/hr (ACFM), supplied from the vacuum pump, minimum box diameters can be calculated using
Equation 5.

Equation 5:
3
Minimum Box Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 19.89
Minimum Box Diameter (inch) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.052

Slot Width
Suction box slot widths should be sized to maintain a dwell time of 2 to 4 milliseconds. Dwell time is the amount of time
that it takes for the felt to travel across the slot. Maintaining a dwell time within this range will allow enough time for the
water in the felt to travel through the felt and into the suction box. If the dwell time is greater than 4 milliseconds, felts will
tend to drag across the box and could experience premature wear. An exception to the 2 – 4 millisecond dwell time
“standard” is on tissue machines. Many tissue machines operate well with only 1.0 – 1.5 ms of uhle box dwell time. This is
because felts on tissue machines often operate at much higher moisture levels than paper or board.

Calculating correct slot width sizing base on a specific dwell time is done using Equation 6:

Equation 6:
Slot Width (mm) = Dwell time (ms) x machine speed (m/min)
60

Slot Width (inch) = Dwell time (ms) x machine speed (ft/min)

5000

Slot widths should not be less than 13 mm (0.5 inch) or greater than 25 mm (1.0 inch). If the slot width is calculated to be
greater than 25 mm (1.0 inch), multiple slots should be used.

Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Sizing

There are several types of vacuum applications on the wet end of a paper machine. The most common applications are as
follows:

Fourdrinier Machine
Application Purpose (with vacuum) Vacuum Levels (HgV)
Wire (Flat) Boxes Consolidate sheet by high volume water removal 25-380 mm (1-15 inches)
Couch Roll Consolidate and strengthen sheet by water removal 255-510 mm (10-20 inches)
Suction Pick-Up Transfers sheet from wire to felt 255-510 mm (10-20 inches)
Suction Press Dewater sheet with pressing and vacuum 255-510 mm (10-20 inches)
Felt Suction Box Dewater felt for cleaning 205-455 mm (8-18 inches)
TIP 0404-55 Performance evaluation techniques / 6
for paper machine vacuum systems

Cylinder Machine
Application Purpose (with vacuum) Vacuum Levels (HgV)
Suction Drum Consolidate and strengthen sheet by water removal 510-560 mm (20-22 inches)
Sheet Boxes Consolidate sheet by water removal 510-560 mm (20-22 inches)
Suction Press Dewater sheet with pressing and vacuum 255-510 mm (10-20 inches)
Felt Suction Box Dewater felt for cleaning 205-455 mm (8-18 inches)

To properly size liquid ring vacuum pumps for their respective applications, TAPPI technical information paper “Paper
Machine Vacuum Selection Factors (TIP 0502-01)” can be used. These factors (ACFM/in2) are used to calculate the total
airflow (ACFM) that is required for most wet end application. To calculate the total ACFM requirement of each application,
the vacuum factor (ACFM/in2) is multiplied by the total open area (in2) of the application. For example, suppose a couch roll
application on a 200 inch wide paperboard machine having single 6 inch box has a vacuum factor of 7 ACFM/in2 (found in
TIP 0502-01). The total required capacity for that suction box is:

6 in x 200 in x 7 ACFM/in2 = 8,400 ACFM @ 20”HgV (14,274 m3/hr @ 560 mm HgV).

Adjustments should always be made for inlet vapor and seal water temperatures. Your liquid ring vacuum pump supplier
will be able to provide these correction factors for their specific liquid ring vacuum pumps. For applications not located in
the TIP, contact your vacuum pump supplier for assistance.

Process Piping
Piping diameters and layouts are selected based on air flow and liquid ring vacuum pump requirements. It is important that
process piping be sized properly to prevent excessive line losses and vacuum pump operating problems. Sizing and layout
recommendations for the different areas of the liquid ring vacuum system are discussed here.

Inlet Piping from Machine to Pre-separator

The piping from the paper machine to the vacuum pre-separators will be carrying air with large volumes of entrained water.
Because of this, all piping in this area should be horizontal or downhill to the separator. Uphill piping can result in large
vacuum losses along with vacuum fluctuations. The velocity of the air with entrained water should be kept below 1,067
m/min (3,500 ft/min). Equation 7 can be used to calculate the minimum pipe diameter.

Equation 7:
3
Minimum Pipe Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 19.89
Minimum Pipe Diameter (inch) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.052

Process Piping from Pre-separator to Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump

After the water has been separated out from the air stream, pipe runs can be vertical and the velocity maximum is 1,667
m/min (5,500 ft/min). To calculate the proper pipe diameter for this piping area, use Equation 8:

Equation 8:
3
Minimum Pipe Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 12.53
Minimum Pipe Diameter (inch) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.033

Pre-separators
Pre-separation packages are recommended to prevent process liquids and chemicals from being carried through the liquid
ring vacuum pumps. This will reduce line losses and help the vacuum pumps last longer. The diameter of the inlet
separators should be sized to reduce the air/liquid velocity below 228 m/min (750 ft/min). To calculate the minimum inlet
separator diameter, use Equation 9:

Equation 9:
3
Minimum Inlet Separator Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 92.83
7 / Performance evaluation techniques TIP 0404-55

Minimum Inlet Separator Diameter (inch) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.245

The rule of thumb for sizing minimum separator height is, height > 2 x diameter.

Separator suppliers should be contacted to verify that the chosen separator is able to separate the amount of water being
pulled from the process.

Barometric Drop legs

Once the process air and water have been separated, the water must be removed from the separator (under vacuum) with
either a barometric drop leg or water removal pump. The barometric drop leg must be long enough to obtain a standing water
level that has enough static head to overcome the vacuum level being pulled by the vacuum pump. If not, the water will be
pulled up the drop leg, fill the separator, and pulled over into the vacuum pump. The barometric drop leg length is calculated
using Equation 10:

Equation 10:
Minimum barometric dropleg length (m) = (0.0136 m x vac) + 0.9 m, where vac = vacuum level, mm Hg Vacuum

Minimum barometric drop leg length (feet) = (1.13 ft. x vac) + 3 ft., where vac = vacuum level, inches Hg Vacuum

The length calculated is the distance from the bottom of the separator to the overflow drain in the seal pit.

The drop leg diameter should be sized to maintain a water velocity below 2.44 m/sec (8 ft/sec). Equation 11 is used to
calculate drop leg pipe diameter:

Equation 11:
Minimum barometric drop leg diameter (mm) = flow(l / min) × 8.7
Minimum barometric drop leg diameter (inch) = flow( gpm) × 0.051

Seal Pit Design

The water from the barometric drop leg will flow to a seal pit. The seal pit must be designed properly so that it will hold
sufficient volume of water. If not, the liquid ring vacuum pump will empty the seal pit upon start-up and vacuum will then
be lost. The following guidelines should be used when designing a seal pit.

Seal Pit Design Guidelines:

1. Seal Pit Volume = 2.5 x drop leg volume.
2. Height used in volume calculation is the distance from bottom of drop leg to overflow drain.
3. Length from drop leg to bottom of seal pit > 152 mm (6 inches).

Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Discharge Piping

The discharge piping from the liquid ring vacuum pump should be sized to be equal to or greater than the liquid ring vacuum
pump discharge for single outlet pumps and the manifold discharge for dual outlet liquid ring pumps. All discharge piping
should be horizontal or downhill to a discharge separator/silencer. Any uphill or vertical piping will cause back-pressure
increasing power, reducing pump capacity and could even eventually lead to mechanical pump problems.

Discharge Separator/Silencers
Discharge separator/silencers serve two purposes for liquid ring vacuum pumps installations. First, they separate the air and
water so the water can be recovered and sent to another mill location and the air can be vented into the atmosphere.
Secondly, they reduce the noise generated by the vacuum pump by as much as 40 dB. Like the inlet separators, the diameter
should be sized to reduce the air/water velocity below 750 fpm. To calculate the minimum inlet separator diameter, use
Equation 12:
TIP 0404-55 Performance evaluation techniques / 8
for paper machine vacuum systems

Equation 12:

Minimum Discharge Separator Diameter (mm) = [ ]

m / hr (1000 − vac ) ÷ 1000 ) × 92.83
3

Minimum Discharge Separator Diameter (inch) = ACFM × [(30 − vac ) ÷ 30 )] × 0.245

Again, the rule of thumb for sizing for minimum separator/silencer height is, height > 2 x diameter.

Separator suppliers can offer various levels of separation efficiency and silencing capabilities when specifying
separator/silencers. They should be contacted to select a specific silencer that best fits the application.

Summary

The techniques discussed in this TIP will help to generalize the overall condition and design of a liquid ring pump vacuum
system. There are many other aspects involved in liquid ring vacuum system design that are not covered in this paper. Topics
such as seal water and fabric conditioning systems are detailed in other TAPPI Technical Information Papers. The following
outline summarizes the design parameters and equations discussed in the body of the paper. The figure at the end of the
paper also shows many of the guidelines that have been defined.

1. Vacuum Pump Testing: see TIP 0420-12

2. Vacuum Pump Operating Costs:

Annual Wasted Energy Cost, Equation 1
$Ea = kW x $UR x hr x day
$Ea = BHP x 0.746 x $UR x hr x day
Annual Seal Water Cost, Equation 2
$SWa = l/min x 60 x $SW x hr x day
$SWa = GPM x 60 x $SW x hr x day

3. Wasted Operating Costs:

Annual Wasted Energy Cost, Equation 3
$Ewa = $Ea x 1-(%OC)
Annual Wasted Seal Water Cost, Equation 4
$SWwa = $SWa x 1-(%OC)

4. Suction (Uhle) Box Sizing:

a. Maximum Air/Water Velocity = 1,065 m/min (3,500 ft/min)
3
b. Minimum Box Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 19.89 , Equation 5
Minimum Box Diameter (in) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.052
c. Dwell Time Requirement = 2-4 ms

d. Slot Width (mm) = Dwell time (ms) x machine speed (m/min)

60
Dwell time (ms) x machine speed (ft/min)
Slot Width (in) = 5000
e. Minimum Slot Width = 13 mm (0.5 inch)
f. Maximum Slot Width = 25 mm (1.0 inch)

5. Vacuum Pump Sizing: see TIP 0502-01

9 / Performance evaluation techniques TIP 0404-55

6. Vacuum System Piping:

a. From Machine to Pre-Separator:
1) Maximum Air/Water Velocity = 1,065 m/min (3,500 ft/min)
3
2) Minimum Pipe Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 19.89 , Equation 7
3) Minimum Pipe Diameter (in) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.052
4) Run downward and or horizontal. Never down and up making a horizontal loop

b. From Pre-Separator to Vacuum Pump:

1) Maximum Air Velocity = 1,677 m/min (5,500 ft/min)
3
2) Minimum Pipe Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 12.53 , Equation 8
3) Minimum Pipe Diameter (in) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.033
4) Run upward and or horizontal. Never down and up making a horizontal loop

7. Pre-separators
1) Maximum Internal Velocity = 228 m/min (750 ft/min)
3
2) Minimum Inlet Separator Diameter (mm) = flow( m / hr ) × 92.83 , Equation 9
3) Minimum Inlet Separator Diameter (in) = flow( ACFM ) × 0.245
4) Minimum Height > 2 x Diameter

8. Barometric Drop legs

a. Minimum barometric drop leg length (m) = (0.0136 m x vac) + 0.9 m, Equation 10
Minimum drop leg length (feet) = (1.13 ft. x “Hg vac) + 3 ft
b. Maximum drain water velocity = 2.44 m/sec
Maximum drain water velocity = 8.0 ft/sec
c. Minimum barometric drop leg diameter (mm) = flow(l / min) × 8.7 , Equation 11
Minimum barometric drop leg diameter (inches) = flow( gpm) × 0.051

9. Seal Pits
a. Seal Pit Volume = 2.5 x Drop leg Volume.
b. Height used in volume calculation is the distance from bottom of drop leg to overflow drain
c. Length from drop leg to bottom of seal pit > 6 inches.

10. Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Discharge Piping

a. Size: Equal to or larger than vacuum pump discharge or manifold discharge flanges
b. Run: horizontal or downhill

11. Discharge Separator/Silencers

a. Maximum Internal Velocity = 228 m/min (750 ft/min)

m / hr [(1000 − vac ) ÷ 1000 )] × 92.83 , Equation 12

3
b. Minimum Discharge Separator Diameter (mm) =

Minimum Discharge Separator Diameter (in) = [ ]

ACFM × (30 − vac ) ÷ 30 ) × 0.245
c. Minimum Height > 2 x Diameter

Keywords

Paper machines, Vacuum boxes, Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump, Seal water variable control regulating valve and Airflow
Performance at vacuum evaluations
TIP 0404-55 Performance evaluation techniques / 10
for paper machine vacuum systems

Additional information

Effective date of issue: January 3, 2018

Working Group Members:
(Chairman) Danny P. McDonald, Vooner FloGard Corporation, dba Vooner Paper Machinery
John Neun, John A. Neun, LLC.
Richard Reese, Dick Reese and Associates
Andrew Smiltneek, Growth Solutions Consultants, LLC.
Doug Sweet, Doug Sweet and Associates, Inc.
Charles H. Wunner, Vooner FloGard Corporation, dba Vooner Paper Machinery

References

1. TAPPI TIP 0420-12, “Guidelines for Evaluation of Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Performance”.
2. Pappalardo, J.P., Tappi 1995 Engineering Conference Proceedings, “The Full Operating Costs of Liquid Ring Vacuum
Pumps.”
3. TAPPI, Tappi 1999 Technical Information Papers, “Guidelines for Measurement of Vacuum Pump Air Flow.”
4. TAPPI, Tappi 1998 Technical Information Papers, “Paper Machine Vacuum Selection Factors.”
5. Smith, G.F., “The Machine Vacuum System – How to Get the Most Out Of This Versatile Papermaker’s Tool.”
6. Wunner, Charles. PEERS Conference, 2015.
 11 / Performance evaluation techniques for paper machine vacuum systems TIP 0404-55

Maximum Velocity ≤ 5,500 ft/min

Minimum Pipe Diameter = ACFM x 0.033

Air-flow to Vacuum Pump

Discharge
Max. Velocity ≤ 750 ft/min
Separator
Inlet
Min . D = ACFM x 0.245
Separator
Maximum Velocity ≤ 3,500 ft/min
H>2xD D
Minimum Pipe Diameter = ACFM x 0.052
D

Air/Water From Process

H

Water to Seal
Max. Velocity ≤ 750 ft/min

Max. Velocity ≤ 8 ft/sec

L Min. D = ACFM x [(30 - Vac) ÷ 30] x 0.245
L (ft) = (1.13 ft/”HgV x Vacuum “HgV) + 3 ft. D Min . D = GPM x 0.051
H>2xD

X •Seal Pit Volume = 2.5 x dropleg Volume

•Height X is used in volume calculation
6 in. •Length from dropleg to bottom of seal pit > 6 inches