VACUU·LAN® networks are designed differently than other in-lab vacuum systems. Central Vacuum Systems and other in-lab vacuum systems are designed to allow uncontrolled flow through the vacuum turrets. They generate vacuum by simply pumping air and other gases/vapors out faster than gases/vapors can flow in to the system. As long as that happens, the system will stay under vacuum. But while that’s happening, the vacuum level can vary quite substantially. Those pressure variations also lead to the cross-contamination/interference issues.
In contrast, a VACUU·LAN® network is designed to control flow into the system through the vacuum ports. This not only mitigates the cross-contamination and interference issues, but it also allows for VACUU·LAN® networks to provide vacuum that is much deeper and much more stable than Central Vacuum Systems or in-lab vacuum systems which use standard copper pipe and standard vacuum turrets. VACUU·LAN® networks can provide vacuum as deep as 2 mbar (or 1.5 torr or about 29.9 in. Hg) – vacuum sufficient to support nearly all of the common evaporative or drying applications in a lab. In contrast, a good central system will only get down to 100 mbar (76 torr or 25 in. Hg), and many new vacuum systems operate at only 250 mbar (190 torr, 22.5 in. Hg). With a Central Vacuum System, these evaporative applications would require dedicated vacuum pumps to supply the deeper vacuum needed. And the stable vacuum provided by a VACUU·LAN® network makes lab applications like filtration, aspiration, or solid phase extraction go more smoothly and consistently.