Technical information
Diaphragm seal systems for vacuum processes
WIKA data sheet IN 00.25
Vacuum
The word vacuum (from the Latin: vacuus - empty) means
“(largely) empty or free space”.
Physics refers to a space that is completely free from
molecules as a vacuum. In practice, this condition is never
feasible.
Diaphragm seals
Diaphragm seals are used for pressure measurements when
the process medium should not come into contact with the
pressurised parts of the measuring instrument.
A diaphragm seal has two primary tasks:
1. Separation of the measuring instrument from the process
medium
2. Hydraulic transfer of the pressure to the measuring
instrument
(see also Technical information IN 00.06 “Diaphragm seals
Differential pressure transmitter connected to two
- Diaphragm seal systems, application, operating principle,
flange-type diaphragm seals via a capillary
designs”)
Absolute pressure
Absolute pressure refers to the perfect vacuum. In this
absolutely molecule-free space the zero point of the absolute
pressure is defined. An example of a common “absolute”
indicated value is the air pressure.
For the required differentiation from other types of pressure,
it is denoted with the index “abs.”, which is derived from the
Latin “absolutus”, meaning detached or independent. In a liquid, at a temperature of greater than 0 K, the particles
attempt to leave the liquid bond (transition from liquid to
gaseous).
Diaphragm seal systems in vacuum The vapour pressure increases with increasing temperature
service and is dependent on the substance or mixture present.
Thus the operating limits for the individual measuring
For application in vacuum, there are different diaphragm seal assemblies drop with a process pressure < 1 bar abs. WIKA
system fill fluids (KN 2, KN 17, KN 21, KN 32, KN 59 and has developed three manufacturing processes for this (Basic,
KN 92) used. Each reacts differently in vacuum applications. Advanced and Premium), which are described below.
In terms of physics, the boiling point temperature of a liquid This technical information should assist in assessing the
decreases with falling pressure. limits of the measuring instruments.
WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015 Page 1 of 6
Vacuum in the process industry
In the meantime, vacuum processes have established
themselves in many industrial and biotechnology plants. Vapour pressure
Many processes are no longer conceivable without vacuum
processes. An example for a vacuum process in an industrial
operation is a distillation column or rectification column in
crude oil production.
Crude oil is the base. It is introduced to the process, and the
ion
products are then distilled from it separately according to the
it
ns
individual boiling point ranges (also known as fractions). The
ra
et
as
products are then subjected to further processing.
Ph
Gas
Liquid
This occurs in two steps:
Initially, the easily evaporated substances can be separated
at “normal” pressure (≥ 1,013 mbar abs.). In a second step,
the hard-to-evaporate substances are distilled in a vacuum
(< 1,013 mbar abs.). In a vacuum, the boiling point of
individual compounds can be lowered significantly without
destroying them through too high temperatures.
The temperature increases during the course of the process,
while the pressure decreases. Illustration of the vapour pressure of liquid particles at
their transition to the gaseous phase
Diaphragm seal systems in vacuum service
The following basically applies: The higher the temperature Below, the vacuum processes available from WIKA are
and the smaller the corresponding process pressure, the described in more detail. The processes basically depend
more difficult it is to design a functioning measuring assem- on the minimum process pressure at maximum temperature
bly. and the individual system fill fluids. This technical information
In terms of physics, there are different types of vacuum. From applies for electronic process and industrial transmitters.
low vacuum, fine vacuum, high vacuum through to ultra-high
vacuum. The process pressure in industrial plant is generally
≥ 5 mbar abs. (low vacuum range).
Applicable core factors for the required design of a function-
ing measuring assembly are given in the following points:
Influence quantities for the application process:
■■ Process temperature
■■ Process pressure
Influence quantities of the diaphragm seal system:
■■ Production process of the diaphragm seal system
■■ Vapour pressure curve of the selected system fill fluid
■■ The selected process connection with the corresponding
diaphragm diameter
Page 2 of 6 WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015
Section Basic service Section Premium service
Through ongoing and continuous advancements in WIKA’s For measuring points in lower vacuum ranges and/or with
vacuum production processes, measuring ranges, for which high process temperatures, the “Advanced service” is no
specific conditioning of components is no longer necessary, longer sufficient.
are possible. For this, WIKA has developed the “Premium service” with
specifically designed component conditioning and a refine-
The basic service will be designated in the following illustra- ment of the system fill fluid. The “Premium service” is desig-
tion by section no. “Basic service”. nated in the illustration with the section no. .
Section Advanced service Section Customer support
For the more-demanding measuring points, WIKA has If the application finds itself in section no. “Customer
established the advanced service. The majority of all measur- support”, our technical clarification will work out a solution
ing assemblies which are intended for use in vacuum can be for your application.
covered by the advanced service. For this, precise information on the application process is
The illustration of this service will be designated below in required. For this reason, simply fill out this questionnaire
section no. with “Advanced service”. and send it to your contact person at WIKA.
Questionnaire for diaphragm seals
http://de-de.wika.de/upload/DS_QuestionnaireDS_GB_5796.pdf
Explanation of the vacuum processes
Our vacuum processes are clearly illustrated in the following diagrams.
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 32
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Functioning diaphragm seal measurement
assemblies not possible in this range
WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015 Page 3 of 6
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 2
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Functioning diaphragm seal measurement
assemblies not possible in this range
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 17
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Page 4 of 6 WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 21
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Oxygen applications Maximum temperature Maximum oxygen pressure
Per BAM test (Federal Institute for Materials Research and to 60 °C 50 bar
Testing) these table values apply. > 60 °C to 100 °C 30 bar
> 100 °C to 175 °C 25 bar
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 59
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Functioning diaphragm seal measurement
assemblies not possible in this range
WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015 Page 5 of 6
Vacuum application with system fill fluid KN 92
1000
500
Absolute pressure in mbar abs.
100
50
10
-100 0 100 200 300 400
Legend Process temperature in °C Limit values process temperature
Basic Service Advanced Service Minimum
Premium Service Customer Support Maximum
Functioning diaphragm seal measurement
assemblies not possible in this range
© 2014 WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, all rights reserved.
The specifications given in this document represent the state of engineering at the time of publishing.
We reserve the right to make modifications to the specifications and materials.
WIKA data sheet IN 00.25 ∙ 08/2015 Page 6 of 6
08/2015 EN
WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG
Alexander-Wiegand-Straße 30
63911 Klingenberg/Germany
Tel. +49 9372 132-0
Fax +49 9372 132-406
[email protected] www.wika.de
