Determining the efficiency of the Vacuum pump at Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

Abstract

Vacuum pumps can produce vacuum ranging from low, medium, and high to ultra high. The vacuum pump in study produces low vacuum. The rotary vane vacuum pump used in the Capsulation process was analyzed in this research. This study was set to determine the efficiency of the pump. The efficiency in this case can be volumetric and mechanical. Many sources infer to mechanical efficiency by varying frictional torque at the vanes and the pressure difference existing between the two ends. Efficiency here was determined by varying Pumping speed with Pressure, then compared with performance curves. Volumetric efficiency is obtained from displacement and theoretical flow rate though volumetric efficiency is not considered as a design parameter. The mechanical efficiency was found to be 15.33%. Desirable parameters at which the vacuum pump can operate were recommended.