Vacuum pumps for leak detection and leak testing

The test object or test chamber is evacuated, and a leak detector detects the tracer gas that flows through the leaks. Leybold describes leak testing with helium as the tracer gas for the quality control of systems and products. In the spray method, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, helium is sprayed on from outside, and the leak detector on the evacuated system locates the leaks. Atlas Copco sums it up like this: a defined vacuum makes the smallest leaks detectable.

As backing pumps for helium leak testing, Leybold names TRIVAC (4–90 m³/h), SCROLLVAC (3–18 m³/h), ECODRY (25–65 m³/h) and VARODRY (65–200 m³/h), plus RUVAC with SOGEVAC or DRYVAC. Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane and HiScroll for leak detection. Busch names COBRA, PANDA/PUMA, R5 and MINK, Edwards E2M, E2S, XDS, nXRi and Stokes, Atlas Copco GVD, GLS and DRB.

That depends on the test: Atlas Copco names low to high vacuum. For the test chamber in cooling circuit testing, Leybold describes typically below 0.1 mbar. Pfeiffer Vacuum also names the helium spray method for systems in ultra-high vacuum.

For helium spraying, Pfeiffer Vacuum names leaks in the range of about 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s. For container closure integrity testing (CCIT), Pfeiffer Vacuum gives ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s for leaks up to 0.1 µm and about 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s from 0.2 µm.

The manufacturers name both. Leybold lists the oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump TRIVAC as well as the dry SCROLLVAC and ECODRY; Pfeiffer Vacuum names the oil-lubricated DuoVane alongside HiScroll and ACP; Edwards the oil-lubricated E2M and E2S alongside XDS and nXRi; Busch the oil-lubricated R5 alongside COBRA and MINK. Which design suits depends on the test object and the system.

Leybold describes the helium leak test of the finished cell and names TRIVAC and SCROLLVAC for it. Busch names leak detection and end-of-line leak testing of batteries with COBRA, and Pfeiffer Vacuum also lists leak detection in battery manufacturing.

For this, Leybold describes a test chamber that is evacuated to typically below 0.1 mbar; inside it, a leak detector looks for escaping refrigerant. According to Leybold, air-conditioning compressors are already tested for leaks with helium before they are installed. Busch and Pfeiffer Vacuum also list leak detection for refrigeration and air conditioning.

CCIT stands for container closure integrity testing. Pfeiffer Vacuum describes it as non-destructive proof of the tightness of sterile packaging and medical devices, also at temperatures down to −80 °C, with leak rates of ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s for leaks up to 0.1 µm and about 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s from 0.2 µm.

In helium spraying, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, helium is sprayed on from outside, and the leak detector on the evacuated system shows where the leak is – no leak rate is measured in the process. To determine a leak rate, Pfeiffer Vacuum names the CCIT test with values down to ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s.

For leak detection and end-of-line testing, Busch names COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5, in its product finder also MINK, and describes the testing of batteries, tanks and HVAC. For leak detection and end-of-line testing, Pfeiffer Vacuum names A 100/200 L, ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll.

A central system in a room of its own keeps noise and heat away from production and matches its output to the demand. Central vacuum systems are planned and built by Eugen Theis Vakuum, a company of the Ehrler & Beck group – more under Central Vacuum.

Yes. Ehrler & Beck offers original spare parts and accessories as well as maintenance and repair.