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Vacuum pump from refrigeration compressor questions
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Vacuum pump from refrigeration compressor questions
BobH wrote:
On 05/04/2017 08:48 AM,
wrote:
All over YouTube are examples of folks using either air conditioner
compressors or refrigerator compressors for vacuum pumps. I know I can
buy a Chinese 3 cfm two stage pump good for 25 microns or so for about
$160.00. I have seen these reviewed and they are pretty noisy. The air
conditioner and refrigerator compressors are much quieter. I'm not
looking for a vacuum source for vacuum chucking, but am instead
thinking of using one for vacuum infusing stuff. Like food. And also
of vacuum storage of dried foods. To do this I would stack cans in my
big pressure canner with the lids in place. Using a plastic lid I
could watch the process. I already have the plexiglass material for
the lid that's plenty stout enough for the job. If the can lids won't
retain their seal when I run them through the can sealing machine I'll
just resort back to glass. So what are the disadvantages of using a
repurposed refrigeration compressor besides getting my hands on a good
one without having to let all the refrigerant out into the atmosphere,
which I am not willing to do.
Thanks,
Eric
Mechanical vacuum pumps tend to backstream pump oil when the pressure
starts getting down. You commonly use a cold trap (LN2) in applications
that won't tolerate pump oil in the vac chamber. Might add a strange
taste to the food!
This is a way bigger problem than you might expect. Proper vacuum pumps
emit noxious oil mists too especially when pumping down stuff that's wet
and won't allow a hard vacuum anyways. There are good quality clear oils
that don't smell as as bad as others, but it's still gross.
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