Planning the installation Page 1 of 8 Chapter 3

3.0 Planning the installation Liquid ring vacuum pump

3.1 Pump construction, Gas ejector

method of operation Liquid pump
The construction of the pump and the selection of
the method of operation depend primarily on the duty Separator
requirements. Typical methods of operation are
described in the following sections Heat exchanger

Non-return valve
Designation and symbols:
A Drain liquid Shut-off valve

B Service liquid Regulating valve

F Make-up liquid Float valve
G Gas ejector
Thermostatic regulating valve
K Cooling liquid
Solenoid valve
U Circulating liquid
Dirt trap
uA Liquid drain
uB Service liquid connection Adjusting socket

uF Make-up liquid connection Thermometer

uKI Heat exchanger, cooling water inlet Pressure gauge
uKII Heat exchanger, cooling water outlet Liquid level indicator
uMI Suction line connection Gas flow
uMII Discharge line connection
Gas/liquid flow
uMIII Motive gas connection
Liquid flow
uU Circulating liquid connection
uc Protection against cavitation
ue,se Connection for drain, dirt drain, central drain
The figures in this section are schematic drawings.
um Connection for measuring suction pressure,
The dimensions of the pump and the exact position
drain valve, filling valve, inert gas supply
of the connections are indicated in the dimensions
table in the annex.

(*) Liquid level

ATTENTION
(**) Gas ejectors are used where the vacuum
If the pump is to be used as a compressor, the
reached by the liquid ring vacuum pump is
instructions in chapter 3.5 must also be considered.
not sufficient.
In these operating instructions the term „pump“ is
Gas ejectors extend the range of application
used for „vacuum pump“ and also for „compressor“.
of the liquid ring vacuum pumps to lower
absolute pressures (to 8 mbar). Vapour
saturated gases can be handled.

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3.1.1 Circulating liquid operation
This method of operation is recommended for:
• Service liquids that due to their properties must
neither leave the process circuit nor come into
contact with the cooling liquid (e.g. when using
oil, alkali or acid as service liquid).
• Waste water systems that must not be
contaminated by the service liquid or by the gas
dissolved in it etc.
cool down to around ambient temperature before the
next start-up.
3.1.2 Combined liquid operation
The service liquid B consists of make-up liquid F and
circulating liquid U (B = F + U). The circulating liquid
U flows either through the circulating liquid line or it
is taken directly from the surge chamber during the
inner liquid return (assembly according to 3.2.8). A
liquid flow equal in quantity to the make up liquid F
supplied, leaves the separator as drain liquid A
through the liquid drain uA. The make up liquid shall
have only slight overpressure (max. 0.1 bar or max.
0.1 bar exceeding the compression pressure).

3.1.2.1 Lay-out
This method of operation has a simple lay-out,
requires little space and has a reduced make-up
water consumption.

The service liquid B consists of circulating liquid

U (B = U) that is cooled in the heat exchanger to the
required operating temperature. The heat exchanger
must be selected so that it is able to extract
completely the heat generated in the service liquid
both by the effects of the motor and by the latent
heat arising from any gas condensation.

The circulating liquid line is not necessary if the

ATTENTION
adjusting screw for the inner liquid return has been
removed according to the section 3.2.8. If the
In case of this operating method the inner liquid
separate discharge of gas and liquid is not required
return is not possible. Therefore the adjusting screw
the top mounted separator can be omitted. A pipe
must not be turned out according to the paragraph
discharging into an outlet (gully) is sufficient. The line
3.2.8.
for cavitation protection, is led from the connection
uc and must be connected to this pipework.
The liquid pump shown in the circulating liquid line is
necessary if the vacuum pump runs without a
significant pressure difference between suction and
discharge branch or, if the flow resistance of the heat
exchanger exceeds approx. 0.2 bar.
The heat exchanger can be omitted if the vacuum
pump runs for only few minutes and the liquid can

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3.1.2.2 Temperature regulation

In combined liquid operation the make-up liquid flow

is regulated by means of a thermostat. In this way
the required temperature of the service liquid can be
maintained.
3.1.3 Make-up liquid operation
In uses corresponding to Category 1, it is not
permitted to operate the pump using only make up
water in the pump
If the pressure in the make-up liquid line varies
considerably so that a temporary overpressure of
about 0.1 bar at the manometer vacuum gauge is
likely to be exceeded, a pressure reducing valve
must be installed or the make-up liquid must be
diverted into a tank with float valve (see fig. below).
The liquid level in the tank from which the vacuum
pump is supplied with service liquid must be at shaft
level.
For compressor operation the make-up liquid must
be supplied at discharge pressure.

This method of operation is applicable where

adequate liquid is available and where there is no
need to reuse it as service liquid.
The make-up liquid method of operation is
recommended also in those cases where the
temperature increase in the vacuum pump is low,
e.g. when handling liquids with a low specific heat. In
this case the inner liquid return is not reasonable so
that the adjusting screw should not be turned out
according to the section 3.2.8.
If the separate discharge of gas and liquid is not
required the top mounted separator can be omitted.
A pipe discharging into an outlet (gully) is sufficient.
The line for cavitation protection, is led from the
connection uc and must be connected to this
pipework. The service liquid B consists of make-up
liquid F (B = F). Its pressure should not exceed 0 bar
(atmospheric pressure) at the manometer vacuum
gauge.

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3.2 Pump, pipework connections
ATTENTION
• Take note of the arrows indicating flow direction.
• The nominal diameters of the pipework must not
be smaller than the nominal diameters of the
corresponding pump branches.
• All pipework must be cleaned prior to installation
of the pump.
• The pipework must be supported in order to
avoid damage to pump components (danger of
breaking the pump components).
• The suction, discharge and service liquid lines
must be as short as possible and their cross
section must be at least as large as the
corresponding pump connections. For long
lengths of pipework larger cross sections are
required.
LEH. 350 / 450, LEH. 600 / 800 / 900:
The service liquid line can be connected to the
second connection uB as well. This can be made
alternatively but also additionally. If both connections
are used, it must be ensured that the pressures and
liquid flows are the same size.
As from construction size LEH.1200 / 1500 / 1800:
The connections uB must be used on both sides.
3.2.1 Position of the pump
The pump must be installed horizontally; the suction
branch then points vertically upwards.
3.2.2 Protection against cavitation
Long operating periods under cavitation result in
damage to the material of the pump and failure of
the liquid ring vacuum pump.
To ensure cavitation-free operation the pump must
continuously be supplied with a minimum quantity of
non condensable (inert) gas.
Cavitation occurs if the pumping medium consists
mainly of vapour that condenses during
compression. In order to prevent this, the
connections uc at the pump and at the separator
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Chapter 3
must be connected by pipework or by a hose. This
enables the vacuum pump to draw non-condensable
(inert) gas from the separator, if the suction pressure
is 40 mbar or lower. This type of connection serves
mainly to protect the pump during start-up if the
suction side is closed (i.e. not effective protection
during continuous operation with suction side
closed).
If the liquid ring vacuum pump is run at a suction
pressure close to the vapour pressure of the service
liquid, cavitation can also occur. In order to prevent
cavitation at this operating point, the pump must be
vented with non-condensable (inert) gas at the
connection um.
Cavitation does not occur, if the vacuum pump
operates in combination with a gas ejector.
• Independent of the service liquid used, the
suction pressure p1,min must not be allowed to
fall below the preset limit. An inert (non
condensable) gas must then be fed on the
suction side.
The smallest permitted suction pressure p1,min
is 20 mbar higher than the vapour pressure of the
service liquid.
• If pure vapour is pumped with the liquid ring
vacuum pump, then on the suction side an inert
gas must always be supplied.
3.2.3 Suction line
A non-return valve should be installed in the suction
line. For that purpose the SIHI non-return valves,
type XCk, have proved to be good because of their
low pressure loss.
The venting of the pump, for example during
starting-up and stopping, is possible by means of a
vent cock, which must be installed at the
connection ul um1 resp.
If the pump is started or stopped with a closed shut-
off component, e.g. valve in the suction line,
cavitation will occur. This can be avoided by
adopting cavitation protection measures (see 3.2.2).
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3.2.4 Discharge line 3.2.8 Inner liquid return

LEH. 350 / 450

The valve (1) must not be closed during pump start-

up.

3.2.5 Operation with minimal pressure LEH. 600-900

difference
If a pump is run for a long period without a significant
pressure difference (less than 0.2 bar), e.g. to
evacuate a large tank, an orifice plate must be
installed in the suction line.

LEH. 1200-1800
3.2.6 Shaft seal
Mechanical seals or gland packing are used to seal
the shaft. In the as delivered pump, seal flushing is
by liquid from the interior of the pump.
To change the pump to flushing / sealing with an
external liquid, please contact the manufacturer.

LEH. 2200 / 3000

3.2.7 Dirt drain
If any fine-grained dirt went along with the pumped
gas or the service liquid might reach the pump, it can
be washed out by liquid through the connection use
during the operation in order to avoid any corrosion.
In case of strong dirt sediment the dirt drain can be
operated continuously.
In order to safely wash out the dirt particles the
suction pressure should not be lower than approx.
300 mbar. However it must be observed that the
pump is nearly completely drained through this
connection during standstill. Therefore the drain line
must be closed before putting out of operation or the
pump must be refilled up to the shaft height before
putting into operation.
LEH. 3600 / 4400
In the casing the pump has a mounted line for the
liquid return from the surge chamber up to the
service liquid chamber. During delivery this line is
closed by an adjusting screw (grub screw). It
becomes accessible after turning out the locking
screw on the connection uiF. The inner liquid return
enables a combined liquid operation with a low
expenditure of technical devices. The make-up liquid
must be fed with slight overpressure. The make-up
liquid flow can be regulated by the pressure.

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3.3 Electrical connections 3.4.4 Gas ejector

For the drive motor a mains connection is required Sterling SIHI gas ejectors complement Sterling SIHI
that complies with the regulations valid at site. liquid ring vacuum pumps.
The rules and instructions prescribed by the local Detailed information is available from the operating
public utilities regarding precautions against instructions for gas ejectors.
explosion must be observed. The motor protection
switch or the excess current trip must be adjusted to 3.5. Compressor operation
the rated current of the motor. If the operational limits (see chapter 9) are observed,
this pumps can also be used as compressors.
3.4. Accessories For compressor operation a pressure liquid
The following accessories are available for liquid ring separator XBd should be used and be placed in such
vacuum pumps: a way alongside the liquid ring compressor that the
• Motor protection switch to control the power liquid drain uA is at shaft level. A safety valve, set in
absorption of the motor accordance with the operating conditions, must be
• Soft starter connected to the connection ub of the separator. A
• Liquid separator liquid discharge trap XUk must be provided for the
• Gas ejector drain liquid.
• Heat exchanger For this application there are three different methods
• Required connection pipework of operation:
• Fittings for the thermostatic control of the service - Circulating liquid operation
liquid temperature - Combined liquid operation
• Ball type non-return valve - Make-up liquid operation
• Drain valve
• Safety valve If the evacuated gases or vapours are inflammable
• Liquid discharge trap or injurious to health, a gas tight take-off must be
installed. In addition leakage tests must be carried
3.4.1 Motor protection switch out at regular intervals. This is also required after
The motor protection switch controls the power repair work.
absorption of the drive motor. If the rated current is
exceeded the motor is switched off automatically.
ATTENTION
3.4.2 Soft starter
A soft starter can be used to start-up the pump. Slow In case of compressor operation > 0.5 bar the EU
acceleration of the pump is preferable both for the „Pressure Equipment Directive“ must also be
pump/package and for the power system. observed.

3.4.3 Liquid separator

A part of the service liquid leaves the pump together
with the compressed gas. In the liquid separator the
gas and liquid are separated.
The following types of liquid separators are available:
• top mounted liquid separator
• upright liquid separator

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3.6 V – Belt Operation
The preferred method of drive for the load on both
the pump shaft and on its bearings is direct drive. In
case of large vacuum pumps it is recommendable to
use a gearing between motor and pump. If a V-belt
drive is to be used, the motor should be arranged as
follows:
− Pump with clockwise rotating shaft (fig. 3.6):
Motor adjacent to and on the right side of the
pump
− Pump with anticlockwise rotating shaft:
Motor adjacent to and on the left side of the pump
fig. 3.6 Pump with clockwise rotating shaft
ATTENTION
The minimum permitted diameter of the pulley is set
out in chapter 9.3.
In Ex- areas, electrically conducting pulleys must be
used (< 106 Ω). The halves of the sheave must be
electrically connected to ensure that they are at the
same potential.
3.7 Explosion protection
In accordance with the Directive 94/9/EG, all
components of a package for use in explosive areas
must comply with the required equipment category.
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Chapter 3
In this connection it is important to distinguish
between the location of the pump and the internal
environment of the pump.
3.7.1 Location
Pump location corresponds to Category 2.
3.7.2 Internal environment of the pump
Requirements:
If it is required that the internal parts of the pump
conform to Category 2, then the following additional
requirements must be considered at the planning
stage of the installation.
Category 1 for the pump internals:
For applications requiring Category 1, the operating
instructions Ex 1G/2G must, in addition, be adhered
to.
Category 2 for the pump internals:
Explosion protection in the working chamber of the
liquid ring vacuum pump is assured by prevention of
any effective ignition source. This is made possible
by ensuring that in all operating conditions (at start
up, shut down as well as when operating) a sufficient
quantity of liquid is in the pump.
• For conformity with Category 2 for the pump
internals, the level of the liquid in the pump on
start up and the liquid inlet during operation, must
be monitored.
• When a safety control is activated, the vacuum
pump must automatically switch off.
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Technical Execution:
To guarantee Category 2 for the internals of the liquid ring vacuum pump, Sterling SIHI suggests the following
layout:

N1 = Process gas
N2 = Gas out
A = Overflow
F = Make-up liquid
K = Cooling liquid
c = Cavitation protection
e = Draining

Flow chart: Vacuum pump system with alternative safety devices

Package with liquid separator unit with coupled cavitation protection pipework and with a backflow
prevention ball valve in the suction line.

Measuring equipment:
• LS1 Liquid level in the vacuum pump
or
LS2 Liquid level in the adjacent liquid separator.
• FS1 Liquid flow in the service liquid line
or
TS1 Temperature in the pressure chamber of the pump casing or in the pressure line directly behind
the discharge orifice of the pump.

The measurement positions LS1 and LS2 should be adjusted so as to be on the same level as the shaft of the
liquid ring vacuum pump. For LS1 the connection um1 resp. um (see dimensions table) can be used.
If a check valve is installed in the service liquid line from the liquid separator to the pump, it must be ensured that
during start up as well as during operation, that the valve remains open.
Monitoring of the pressure in the pressure line PS2 is recommended if, because of the system design, the
permitted compression pressure (see Chapter 9) is likely to be exceeded.

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