Although we might not always realize it, vacuum plays a role in countless aspects of our everyday lives. In this series, we take a closer look at just how much we rely on vacuum, from the way we breathe to our bicycle helmets to life-saving medical procedures.

Today, more colleges and industries than ever strive to be sustainable. For some, that means limiting waste production or water usage. For others, cutting energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are the main priorities. No matter where the emphasis lies, achieving sustainability goals and adhering to environmental regulations require organizations to quantify each of these releases. While it might be simple to weigh the amount of solid waste a facility produces or meter the gallons of water consumed, it can be far more difficult to analyze an operation’s emissions.

Most labs are designed to exhaust waste vapors high into the air with roof exhaust fans.

Before a device can measure greenhouse gas emissions, it must first obtain a sample of the gas in question. Exhaust systems are often in difficult-to-reach locations, and they expel gasses that may contain corrosive materials. And above all else, the analysis has to be incredibly accurate, since noncompliance could result in heavy penalties. So how do gas analyzers retrieve these samples under these demanding conditions? With a vacuum pump that is corrosion-resistant and requires little enough service to be practical in remote locations.

At VACUUBRAND®, we are experts in vacuum for science. To learn more about our laboratory and OEM vacuum pumps, please visit our website. If you’d like details about our modular, energy-saving alternative to central vacuum systems for labs, our technology microsite offers an overview. Or simply contact us today about your lab vacuum needs.