SOGEVAC Rotary Disc Pump Maintenance Guide

Leybold SOGEVAC DI/BI series rotary vane pumps: a complete guide to selection, replacement, maintenance, and troubleshooting

Introduction: When your analytical instrument requires a reliable front-end vacuum

In high-end analytical instruments such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), electron microscopy, and leak detection, the performance of the front-end vacuum pump directly affects the sensitivity and stability of the instrument. Oil sealed rotary vane pumps have become the mainstream choice for these applications due to their simple structure, easy maintenance, and moderate cost. However, as the equipment ages, when the pumping speed of the pump decreases, noise increases, the maximum pressure rises, or oil mist appears, engineers often face the choice of repair or replacement.

Leybold's SOGEVAC DI and BI series oil sealed rotary vane pumps are the preferred products designed specifically for analytical instruments and medium vacuum applications. They are known for their ultra long maintenance free cycles (up to 24000 hours on liquid/gas mass spectrometers), extremely low noise levels (≤ 61 dB (A)), efficient exhaust filtration (oil mist loss<1 ppm), and flexible power compatibility. The FC model integrates variable frequency drive and RS 485 interface, which can achieve preventive maintenance and pump speed control.

This article is based on the SOGEVAC DI/BI series product manual, providing a detailed technical guide from model comparison, selection and replacement, installation and wiring, maintenance cycle, common troubleshooting to accessory upgrades, to help engineers quickly solve on-site problems.

Overview and Selection of SOGEVAC DI/BI Series Models

The SOGEVAC series covers a pumping speed range from 16 m ³/h to 147 m ³/h, divided into two sub series: DI and BI. The DI series (such as SV 16 DI) adopts a compact design, with the pump and motor coaxial; The BI series (such as SV 28 BI, SV 40 BI) also uses integrated motors, and some high pumping speed models (SV 40 BI FC, SV 65 BI FC, SV 120 BI FC) are equipped with variable frequency drives.

1.1 Key technical parameters of each model

Model nominal pumping speed (50/60 Hz) m ³/h ultimate pressure (without gas ballast) mbar ultimate pressure (with gas ballast) mbar noise dB (A) oil volume L power supply

SV 16 DI 16.0/18.7 ≤ 0.1 ≤ 1.0 59 2.0 single-phase/three-phase optional

SV 28 BI 25/29 ≤ 0.05 ≤ 0.5 57 (single-phase) 1.5 wide range single-phase/three-phase

SV 40 BI 42/50 ≤ 0.20 ≤ 0.5 60 1.0 single-phase

SV 40 BI FC 53 (50/60) ≤ 0.20 ≤ 1.0 ≤ 59 1.0 single-phase+frequency converter

SV 65 BI FC 71 (50/60) ≤ 0.20 ≤ 1.0 ≤ 60 2.0 single-phase+frequency converter

SV 120 BI FC ≥ 147 (50/60) ≤ 0.20 ≤ 1.0 ≤ 61 2.0 single-phase+frequency converter

Key selection points:

LC/GC-MS: Recommended SV 16 DI or SV 28 BI, combined with synthetic oil LVO 700, can achieve 24000 hours of maintenance free operation.

ICP-MS: SV 40 BI FC, SV 65 BI FC, or SV 120 BI FC are recommended, and PFPE oil (LVO 420) is used to resist corrosive gases.

General industrial applications (vacuum drying, metallurgy, refrigeration): Select the corresponding model according to the required pumping speed, and pay attention to single-phase/three-phase power supply limitations.

Core technological advantages and design features

2.1 Ultra long maintenance free cycle

SOGEVAC pumps can operate maintenance free for up to 3 years (approximately 24000 hours) in LC/GC-MS applications. This is due to:

Optimized oil circuit design and larger oil capacity (up to 4 times more oil volume than similar pumps)

Efficient oil separation system, oil mist loss<1 ppm, slow oil aging

Integrated oil recovery system, no need for external oil pipes

2.2 Extremely low noise and vibration

The noise level of all SOGEVAC pumps is below 61 dB (A), with some models as low as 54 dB (A) (three-phase motors). Low speed design (1500-1800 rpm) and precise dynamic balancing ensure minimal vibration, typically without the need for expensive soundproof enclosures.

2.3 Anti Buckle Valve

The inlet of the pump is equipped with an anti backflow oil valve. When the pump is shut down (normal shutdown or power outage), the valve automatically closes the air inlet and the pump body releases air. This prevents the pump oil from being sucked into the vacuum system and also prevents the chamber pressure from rapidly rising. The valve is effective under all operating conditions (pressure below 800 mbar) and is not affected even when the gas damper is open.

2.4 Efficient exhaust filtration

The integrated exhaust filter can effectively remove oil mist within the entire working pressure range (from atmospheric pressure to maximum pressure). The oil content of the discharged gas is less than 1 ppm, which meets the environmental requirements of the laboratory and clean room.

2.5 Wide Range Single Phase Power Supply

All pumps can use single-phase 200~240 V ± 10%, 50/60 Hz power supply without special wiring. Some models also offer 110~115 V versions, suitable for the North American market. The FC model (variable frequency drive) further limits the starting surge current and can use ordinary B-type circuit breakers.