Vacuum Regenerative Blower
Vacuum Regenerative Blower
Vacuum Regenerative Blower
Table of Contents
1. Safety 4
1.1 General Safety Precautions 4
1.2 Clothing and Protective Gear 4
1.3 Electrical Safety 4
1.4 Vacuum and Gauge Pressure Safety 5
1.5 Installation/Start-up 5
1.6 Maintenance Procedures 6
1.7 Hot Surfaces 6
1.8 Hearing Protection 6
1.9 Safety Guidelines for Transport of the unit 7
2. Technical Data 8
Table 1: 3 Phase, Single Stage, 50 Hertz 10
Table 2: 3 Phase, Single Stage, 60 Hertz 11
Table 3: 3 Phase, Two/Three Stage, 50 Hertz 12
Table 4: 3 Phase, Two/Three Stage, 60 Hertz 13
Table 5: Single-phase, 50 Hz 14
Table 6: Single-phase, 60 Hz 14
Table 7: Single Stage – Approx. Temperature Rise 16
Table 8: Two/Three Stage – Approx. Temperature Rise 17
Table 9: Tightening Torque Specifications 18
3. Installation 20
3.1 Installation Procedure 21
4. Start-up 23
4.1 Start-up Procedure 23
4.2 Potential Risks For Operators 23
6. Exploded-View Drawings 29
3BA1 Single-Stage 29
3BA1 Two-Stage 30
3BA1943 Two-Stage 31
3BA7 Single-Stage 32
3BA7 Two-Stage 33
Warranty Statement 34
1. Safety
Do not attempt to start or run the unit unless it has been completely
assembled. Particular attention should be paid to: the vacuum
pump/compressor cover, the muffler on the inlet and discharge
connections, and the fan guard.
The standard 3BA unit must never come into contact with flammable
substances.
It is recommended that all personnel wear proper protective gear while operating
the unit. This may include eye protection, gloves and helmets.
Please be aware that it is possible for hair and clothing to be pulled into the unit.
Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing near the unit while it is operating and wear a
hairnet if necessary.
The terminal box must be kept free of dirt and moisture at all times. Make sure
the terminal box cover and cable entries are tightly sealed so they remain
dustproof and waterproof. Check the terminal box regularly to make sure it is
sealed and free of debris and moisture.
1.4 Vacuum and Gauge Pressure Safety
1.5 Installation/Start-up
The unit and any lines connected to it must be securely installed. In particular,
the feed pipes must be securely routed, e.g. in cable ducts, in the floor, etc.
If a separate control panel or other such interface will be used to start and stop
the unit, it should be installed in an area with an unobstructed view of the unit to
ensure that it is not switched on while being serviced.
Excess vibration can cause damage to the unit and/or unsafe conditions. Install
the unit on a solid foundation or a solid mounting surface. Check screw
glands/unions for strength and firm seating.
Cables and pipes should be installed in a recess in the floor or duct so they do
not present a tripping hazard.
To ensure sufficient cooling of the unit, ventilation screens and openings must
remain clear. Ensure that discharge air from other units cannot be pulled into the
unit.
Make sure that the inlet and pressure lines are clearly marked to avoid confusion.
Interchanged inlet and pressure lines can lead to damage to the unit and/or
serious injury.
Install a filter in the inlet pipe and replace it regularly. If particulates or debris
enter the unit, the blades of the impellers can be damaged and blades could
potentially break off, potentially creating a hazardous situation.
If re-starting the unit after it has been idle for a long period of time, measure the
insulation resistance of the motor. If values are less than 1 k Ω per volt of nominal
voltage, the winding may be too dry.
If the unit is installed or stored in an environment with a temperature of over
104°F (40°C) be aware that the winding may be damaged and the grease might
need to be changed more often.
Before beginning work on the pump-motor unit, please take the following
precautions:
Please note that the rotating impeller is accessible when the inlet and discharge
connections are open. Do not reach into the unit through open connections or
insert objects into the unit through any openings. Serious injury could occur. If
the unit is running without piping or tubing, provide the inlet and discharge of the
unit with either additional mufflers or piping of a sufficient length to prevent
access to the impeller.
Check regularly to ensure the terminal box is free of any dirt or foreign
substances and there is no moisture or humidity present. Make certain the
terminal box cover and cable entries are tightly closed.
During operation, the surface of the unit can reach temperatures of 320° F
(160° C). It is advisable to cover the unit with suitable touch protection (e.g. a
perforated plate or wire cover). Do not touch the unit during operation, and allow
time to cool after shut-down. Temperature-sensitive parts such as lines or
electronic components should not come into contact with the surface of the unit.
Make certain any missing or defective silencers are replaced. Noise emitted by
the unit can cause serious hearing damage. Conduct a noise measurement test
while the unit is running. If the unit operates over 90 dB(A), please place a
warning sign in the area where the unit has been installed and make certain that
any personnel working in the vicinity wear ear protection at all times while the
unit is running.
Prior to transport and handling, please make sure that all components are
properly assembled and secure. Any machinery used to transport these units
must have the proper lifting capacity. Please consult the table on page 27 to find
the weight of the unit being handled. Do not stand or walk under suspended
loads.
If a 3BA unit has come in contact with any dangerous substances, it must
be decontaminated before being sent to Airtech for repair evaluation.
2 Technical Data
These operating instructions cover the Airtech 3BA side channel vacuum pumps
and compressors supplied with standard TEFC motors. Other configurations are
available including V-belt driven units, units with explosion proof motors,
mechanical seals, magnetic drives, coatings and modifications for high pressure
service. Airtech can provide any combination of modifications to meet your
application requirements. Such blowers, however, are outside the scope of this
manual.
Description
All regenerative blowers are dynamic compression devices and utilize a non-
contacting impeller to accelerate the gas and a specially designed housing to
compress the gas. Cooling is accomplished by using the motor fan to blow air
over the housing. In larger models, the housing is specially designed with
cooling fins to allow a wider range of operation. Both the inlet and outlet ports
have built-in silencers and mesh screens. Both the inlet and outlet have an
inside connection thread corresponding to DIN ISO 228. On larger units, multiple
suction and discharge connection configurations may be available.
The wetted parts are constructed of Aluminum on all models. The blower shares
a bearing with the motor. The seal between the bearing and the motor is not gas
tight in most models, therefore these blowers are not recommended for handling
of toxic or explosive gases. (Contact Airtech Vacuum, Inc. for additional options
if explosive or toxic gases will be handled.)
A full range of accessory items are available, including vacuum or pressure relief
valves, check valves, suction filters, motor starters, vacuum/pressure cross-over
valves, and in-line filters.
Application/Installation Environment
When operating at altitudes above 3280 feet (1000 m) above mean sea level, contact Airtech Inc.
If your specific model number is not listed above, please consult the nameplate
on the unit for electrical data. If the model you are installing is listed above,
please confirm the data on the nameplate. Data in Tables 1 through 4 is subject
to change and is approximate. Be sure to confirm necessary operating data what
that on the nameplate before commissioning the unit.
A vacuum relief valve or pressure relief valve should always be installed at the
suction or discharge of the regenerative blower. This will prevent operation
outside the applicable ranges shown in Tables 1 to 4. If the relief valves were
not specified in the ordering process, please contact Airtech for details, price and
availability of the needed valves before commissioning the unit. Failure to use
the proper relief valve may result in failure of the blower due to operation outside
the applicable limits; any such failure is outside the scope of Airtech’s standard
warranty.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the Airtech 3BA blower can be installed in any physical
configuration.
To ensure adequate cooling of the blower during operation, install the blower with
the minimum clearance as indicated in the table below.
Please note that it may be desirable, where possible, to allow for larger
clearances to allow access for maintenance or repair personnel. The noted
clearances are to ensure adequate air flow for cooling only and are a minimum
requirement.
Failure to allow for the noted clearances may result in premature failure of the
blower due to lack of cooling, even if all other precautions are taken as
recommended. For specific advice about installations requiring closer
clearances, please contact Airtech, Inc. for recommendations.
CAUTION! For installations at altitudes greater than 3250 Feet above sea
level there will be a loss in capacity. Please contact your factory
representative for assistance in determining the extent of the loss of
capacity likely at your specific location.
WARNING! Be sure to follow all local codes and regulations with respect
to installation and operation of the blower. The blower motor should be
wired to a branch circuit disconnect and all other safety devices
recommended by the relevant sections of NFPA 70, National Electrical
Code, and in accordance with all applicable state and local regulations and
requirements.
1. For vacuum operation, connect the suction pipe to connection A, and for
pressure operation connect the pressure pipe to connection B (See Figure 1).
Install startup screens before startup to protect pump from debris.
We recommend that the motor starters used feature a time delay trip on high
amperage to avoid nuisance trips on start-up. When the unit is started cold, over
amperage may be experienced for a short time due to the higher resistance of
the windings at lower temperatures.
If using a change over or solenoid valve, ensure that the voltage connected to
the valve matches that shown on the valve instructions or nameplate. Most
valves are rated for 110 Volts 60Hz or 220 Volts 50 Hz. Connection of these
valves to higher voltages may result in immediate valve failure.
4. Install the necessary relief valves and confirm their proper operation.
4. Start-up
CAUTION! Do not start the blower motor more than 10 times in one hour.
If multiple and frequent start-ups are required by your application, install a
minimum run timer in the motor control circuit to avoid decreased motor
life and possible fire due to over-starting of the motor.
2. Do not operate the blower at pressure or vacuum ranges that exceed those
shown in Tables one through four for the model being installed. This can be
achieved by use of the recommended relief valve shown in Table 5.
Note: Relief valves that have been factory pre-set have a label indicating the set
pressure and an arrow indicating the direction of flow. The arrow will point into
the pipe when installed in vacuum applications and out of the pipe when installed
in pressure applications. Do not re-set the relief valve if it has been pre-set from
the factory.
In the event the relief valve setting needs to be reset, adjust the set screw to
increase or decrease the tension on the spring. Place the blower in operation
and note the current draw of the motor. When the current draw of the motor is
near the maximum noted on the motor nameplate, tighten the locking nut on the
valve and proceed.
3. When checking the current draw of the motor with an ammeter, be sure to
confirm the voltage at the motor junction box. Low voltage conditions may result
in difficulty starting or in unexpected motor failure or motor starter trips.
Noise emission: Free field noise limits are indicated in Tables 1-4 (pages 10-14).
Hearing protection is not normally required at the expected noise generation
levels in the table; however, local conditions may result in higher ambient noise.
If this is the case and local noise exceeds OSHA recommended levels for
expected exposure time (typically 85 dBA for eight hours), hearing protection
should be used.
5. Maintenance and Servicing
Clean the blower surfaces periodically to avoid build up of dust or other debris.
Build up of debris can cause overheating and premature failure of the blower.
If an inlet filter is being use, ensure that it remains clean during operation by
examining the filter cartridge for debris build up. Replace dirty or clogged filter
cartridges.
On pressure units, periodically clean the inlet mesh screen to avoid loss of
capacity. If an external inlet filter is used, the
filter element should be cleaned monthly or as
frequently as required by local conditions.
Excessive pressure drop will develop from use
of clogged or dirty filters. This pressure drop
will degrade blower performance and increase
operating temperatures, leading possibly to
premature pump failure.
For vacuum applications, the optional in-line vacuum filter must be cleaned
regularly, depending on local conditions. Cleaning can be achieved by blowing
out with compressed air. If cleaning is not possible, replace the cartridge.
Access the cartridge by unhooking the relevant clips and removing the cover.
After repairing the unit, be sure to follow the instructions noted in this manual in
the Installation section (page 20).
5.2 Lifting
For smaller units (less than 65 lbs/ 30 kgs), it may be possible to lift the units
manually. When doing so, be sure to understand the weight of the unit being
lifted and to follow good lifting safety procedures.
For the 3BA1943, use the eye bolt and the holes in the feet of the blower to lift
and maintain a balanced load.
5.3 Storage
The 3BA units should be stored in a clean, dry environment. If stored in an area
with a humidity of greater than 80 percent, store in a closed container with
desiccant drying agents to avoid damage.
5.4 Disposal
Spare parts list are available from your local Airtech service center. Please
contact your local Airtech representative for assistance.
Airtech, Inc.,
301 Veterans Boulevard
Rutherford, NJ, 07070
Phone: 1-201-569-1173
Fax: 201-569-1696.
Airtech, Inc. (“Company”) Warranty Statement
Company warrants that on the date of shipment to Purchaser the goods will be of the
kind and quality described herein, merchantable, and free of all defects in workmanship
and materials.
If within one year from the date of initial operation, but not more than eighteen months
from date of shipment by the Company, of any item of the goods, Purchaser discovers
that such item was not as warranted above and promptly notifies Company in writing
thereof, Company shall remedy such defect by, at the Company’s option, adjustment,
repair or replacement of the item and any affected part of the good. Purchaser shall
assume all responsibility and expense for removal, reinstallation and freight in
connection with the foregoing remedy. The same obligations and conditions shall
extend to replacement items furnished by the Company hereunder. Company shall have
the right of disposal of items replaced by it. Purchaser shall grant Company access to
the goods at all reasonable times in order for Company to determine any defect in the
goods. In the event that adjustment, repair or replacement does not remedy the defect,
the Company and Purchaser shall negotiate in good faith an equitable adjustment in the
contract price.
The Company’s responsibility does not extend to any item of the goods which has not
been manufactured and sold by the Company. Such item shall be covered only by the
express warranty, if any, by the manufacturer thereof. The Company and its suppliers
shall also have no responsibility if the goods have been improperly stored, handled or
installed, or if the goods have not been operated or maintained according to their ratings
or according to the instructions in Company or supplier furnished manuals, or if
unauthorized repairs or modifications have been made to the goods.
The forgoing states Purchaser’s exclusive remedy against Company and its suppliers for
any defect in the good or for failure of the goods to be as warranted, whether
Purchaser’s remedy is based on contract, warranty, failure of such remedy to achieve its
essential purpose, tort (including negligence), strict liability, indemnity, or any other legal
theory, and whether arising out of warranties, representations, instructions, installations,
or defects from any cause.
Neither Company nor its suppliers shall be liable, whether in contract, warranty, failure of
a remedy to meet its essential purpose, tort (including negligence), strict liability,
indemnity or any other legal theory, for loss of use, revenue or profit or for cost of capital
or of substitute use or performance or for indirect, liquidated, incidental or consequential
damages or for any other loss or cost of a similar type, or for claims by Purchaser for
damages of Purchaser’s customers.