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ACFM = m
where: ACFM = additional capacity at system vacuum level m = mass flow of air leakage in lb/min P1 = atmospheric pressure (29.92HgA, 760 Torr, etc) P2 = system vacuum level (same units as P1) (Note: pressure units must be expressed as absolute pressures)
In the previous example of 0.125 lb/min air leakage @ 1 Torr, the calculations are as follows:
ACFM = 0.125
If the same mass flow of air leakage were to be calculated for a system operating at 50 Torr (approximately 2HgA), the ACFM would be greatly reduced, in proportion to the new pressure ratio, as shown below:
ACFM = 0.125
The following pages provide guidance to estimating air leakage in systems where air leakage may represent a significant portion of total system demand. As illustrated above, the higher the vacuum level, the more critical air leakage becomes. System tightness is an important consideration when selecting vacuum equipment for high vacuum applications.
1.
The air leakage rates indicated are guidelines only. In actual field practice, the air leakage may be significantly larger or smaller depending upon the condition of sealing, maintenance factors and application. For comparison purposes, alternate methods of air leakage estimation may be used. Above chart reprinted from Heat Exchange Institute - Standards for Steam Jet Vacuum Systems. Select total system volume and vacuum level to determine estimate of air leakage for a commercially tight vacuum system.
2. 3. 4.
4.
Leakage (lb/hr) = [(0.15) (Volume in Ft3) ( Pressure Rise in Hg)] / (Time in minutes)
Example: V = Volume = 300 cu. Ft. P1 = Initial pressure in system = 5HgAbs. P2 = Final pressure in system = 9HgAbs T = time in minutes = 6.5 minutes Leakage = (0.15) (300) (9-5) / (6.5) Leakage = 27.7 lbs/hr Leakage = 27.7 lb/hr / 60 min/hr = 0.46 lb/min. From the mass flow of air leakage, ACFM of air leakage can be calculated, using normal system vacuum levels with the following formula (mentioned earlier):
ACFM = m 379 P1 29 P2
Leakage Rate
(lb/hr per inch)
0.015 0.005 0.002 0.005 0.018 0.032 0.25 0.10 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.25 0.020 0.015
(reprinted from Process Vacuum System Design & Operation by James L. Ryan and Daniel L. Roper)