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EFFECT OF ALTITUDE ON THE OPERATION OF LIQUID RING VACUUM PUMPS
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Performance curves for vacuum pumps are always derived relative to atmospheric pressure at sea level. When a vacuum pump operates at altitudes higher than sea level, the atmospheric pressure decreases. The important thing to remember when you encounter applications at altitude, is to measure the vacuum level relative to barometric pressures. Please see the example below to see how this effects the calculation of vacuum level. As a quick rule of thumb, you can assume that for each increase of 1,000 feet of elevation, the baromatic pressure will decrease by 1" Hg.

Example:
The installation site is located in Denver, CO (elevation - 5,000 feet). A capacity of 750 ACFM at 20"Hg gauge is required for the application. The question is what is the equivalent vacuum level at sea level.

Solution:
Use the following formula to calculate equivalent vacuum level.

P_ref = P₁ x (29.92 / P₂)	in which	P _ref = corrected vacuum level P₂= barometric pressure at altitude = 25.3"HgA (from chart) P ₁= P ₂ - required vacuum level at altitude = 25.3" HgA- 20"Hg = 5.3" HgA

P_ref = 5.3"Hg x (29.92/25.3) = 6.3"HgA or 23.4"HgV (29.92 - 6.3)