Vacuum drying chambers enable effective, gentle drying without damaging the material being dried. It is a very versatile device with applications in laboratory research, engineering, and industry.
What is a vacuum drying oven
A vacuum drying oven is most often used for delicate drying processes, such as drying tiny parts or removing flammable solvents. The low pressure environment also minimizes oxidation during drying.
This makes vacuum drying suitable for materials that become damaged or are changed if exposed to high temperatures. Vacuum drying also minimizes the risk of scaling and the formation of oxidation residues.
A standard vacuum oven can operate at temperatures as high as 200°C to 250°C. A rugged, high quality pressure chamber, gasket seals, and pump are features to look for, as well as convenient, programmable controls and a computer interface. Vacuum drying ovens are also available with specialized features such as solvent recovery or residual gas analysis to prevent over drying. For drying flammable solvents, look for a safety vacuum drying oven that has been approved for these types of applications.
How vacuum drying ovens work
Many samples are very sensitive and tend to be damaged by the drying process. The drying process in the vacuum drying chamber reduces this risk to a minimum. The aim of this method is to gently dry a high-grade product that contains water or a solvent without altering its properties in the process. When drying under a vacuum, the pressure in the drying chamber is reduced so that water or solvents evaporate even at low temperatures. This process also promotes capillary transport. The targeted supply of heat and pressure control optimize the drying process. The method is primarily used with heat-sensitive products such as food and some chemicals.
Many vacuum drying units apply heat directly to the shelf racks via internal electrical contacts. These are often difficult to clean if they become contaminated and can even corrode over time, becoming unusable.
How to use vacuum drying oven
The usage of a vacuum drying chamber may vary depending on the product and manufacturer. However, most devices will have similar usage instructions as follows:
- Connect the drying oven to a power supply.
- Connect to the vacuum pump pipe.
- Adjust the pressure relief valve, and the vent should be adjusted more than 90°.
- Turn on the vacuum valve and vacuum pump. The vacuum pump will start working, and we can hear the noise of the vacuum pump.
- Wait until the pressure drops (we can pay attention to the pressure gauge), then turn off the vacuum pump and vacuum valve. Now the interior of the vacuum drying oven is in a vacuum state or similar to a vacuum state.
- Turn on the temperature control.
- Press the Set key once, and it displays SP, which means it is in setting mode.
- Press the Up key to increase the temperature and the Down key to decrease the temperature. Press the Up key or Key to continuously increase or decrease the temperature. We can also press the Shift key to move the digital position.
- Press the Set key again to run the setting parameters.
Areas of application for vacuum drying ovens
Drying in a vacuum drying chamber is particularly recommended for substances containing flammable solvents. When dried under ambient conditions, these substances usually create a highly explosive atmosphere, which is prevented by drying in a vacuum drying chamber. The vacuum drying chambers are therefore suitable for use in the electrical and semiconductor industries, as well as in the life science sector and the plastics industry. The vacuum drying cabinets are available with a capacity of 23 to 115 liters.
>> Reference: BINDER Vacuum Drying Ovens
The BINDER vacuum drying chambers are therefore suitable for use in the electrical and semiconductor industries, as well as in the life science sector and the plastics industry. The vacuum drying cabinets are available with a capacity of 23 to 115 liters. The models from the VDL series feature special safety equipment intended for use in drying flammable substances.
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