How does Pattons Medical handle vacuum pumps in high altitudes? Pattons Medical uses an elevation factor to add onto your peak calculated demand. If you go to our website and use our vacuum calculator, it will give you a capacity.
For example, Denver is at 5000 ft, using a factor of 1.2, find the machine or vacuum system that would meet that demand with the added factor on it. There are certain vacuum pumps technologies that work better at higher altitudes versus sea level.
Another example, a dry graphite vane has an elevation limitation of 4100 ft. The few seen in Colorado, have mostly smaller horse powers. They don’t do well with thinner air because they generate too much heat, the graphite gets worn down or chipped off and causes damage to the pump. Claw vacuum systems can go either way 8/7 HP. At 10 HP and above, the max vacuum it pulls is 24 inches of mercury at sea level. Theoretically, there is 1 inch of mercury per every thousand feet you go up in elevation. Looking at a 10 or above horsepower at 5000 ft, you’re starting at a max vac of 19 inches of mercury. 15 inches is going to be okay, your piping system is designed with four inches of vacuum loss, therefore you are still not hitting anywhere near the 12 inches of low vac at the furthest outlet.
| Elevation | VAC - FACTOR TO PCD |
|---|---|
| 0' | 1 |
| 1000' | 1.03 |
| 2000' | 1.07 |
| 3000' | 1.11 |
| 4000' | 1.15 |
| 5000' | 1.2 |
| 6000' | 1.24 |
| 7000' | 1.29 |
| 8000' | 1.34 |
| 9000' | 1.39 |
Sometimes, at 5,000 ft of elevation or over, it makes sense to purchase an oil lubricated vacuum pump. However, from 4,800 to 5,000 ft, there are many 15 horsepower claw quads that have a VFD attached that run very well. The VFD modulates the frequency as the vacuum transducers don’t have to be staggered in a specific way. Pattons Medical highly recommends putting a VFD on any claw vacuum technology above 4000ft. We would recommend the oil lube vacuum about 5,200ft in elevation.
Discussing oxygen concentration level is also important. There are many places that could potentially be at an elevation and it is essential to recognize the correct technology to use and additionally, view options that Pattons Medical has to protect the pump.
At higher altitudes, medical vacuum is affected in vacuum level and flow rates. Use this calculator to calculate your peak demand using your typical sizing calculator.
