Vacuum pumps and compressors for laboratory purposes
In demanding laboratory environments, technicians must rely on their equipment for dependable and accurate performance for a variety of critical functions, including the preparation of biological and chemical samples for analysis.
Typical applications for Thomas and Welch products include:
Aspiration is the process of removing fluids or gases via suction. A general lab aspiration set-up consists of a sample to be aspirated (in a bottle, spilled liquid, on a multi-well plate, etc.), liquid trap and a vacuum pump. Researchers commonly use aspiration set-ups in the removal of supernatants from different manufactured deep well plates after centrifugation to picking up spilled liquids on a bench.
Cell harvesting is the process of collecting animal or human blood or bone marrow cells. A cell harvester and a vacuum pump are the two key major pieces of equipment to accomplish this.
A vacuum concentrator uses centrifugal force with heat and vacuum to rapidly evaporate and condense solvents from biological and analytical samples. The concentrator and vacuum pump are the two key major pieces of equipment to accomplish this.
A desiccator is a round or square vessel, usually made of glass, plastic or stainless steel, which is used to equilibrate materials in a controlled atmosphere without moisture. The desiccator and vacuum pump are the two key major pieces of equipment to accomplish this.
Vacuum filtration uses a pressure differential (atmosphere above filter paper, and vacuum beneath) to drive a solution through filter paper. The filtration flask and vacuum pump are the two key major pieces of equipment used to accomplish this.
Lyophilization or freeze drying is a method of removing water, organic solvents and/or acids from various materials through sublimation. A freeze dryer and a vacuum pump are the necessary equipment to accomplish this.
This is a lightweight, handheld device ideal for precise, safe, and fatigue-free series pipetting in conjunction with standardised graduated pipettes. With the help of a miniature vacuum pump, individual tasks like slow or rapid aspiration, setting the liquid meniscus, or emptying the pipette can be conducted.
A rotary evaporator is a device used in laboratories in which a liquid is evaporated by reducing the pressure and applying heat, while rotating the liquid in a vessel. A rotary evaporator, vacuum pump, vacuum controller and a chiller are the key major pieces of equipment to accomplish this.
Solvent degassing is the removal of particulate matter and dissolved gases in solvents. Most instrument manufacturers recommend filtration and degassing of solvents and samples prior to analysis. Particulate matter and dissolved gasses in solvents can create false peaks or baseline instability. Researchers use degassing to reduce instrument down time, extend column life and optimise instrument performance, solvent must be degassed using a vacuum pump.
Tissue culture is the technique or process of keeping tissue alive and growing in a culture medium. During the process, an aspiration pump may be needed to remove the medium from the culture vessel. A typical tissue culture aspiration setup consists of a liquid trap, vacuum pump and pipette for removing the culture medium.
Vacuum concentrators offer a fast and convenient means to concentrate clinical or research samples for analysis.
Dental laboratories are using special ovens to manufacture ceramic prosthesis. To remove air or other gases in the melted ceramic, the burn chamber needs to be evacuated. In this way cavities are prevented.