Vacuum Traps and Filters
Traps vs. Filters: Product Overview
Traps and filters are devices installed on a vacuum foreline to serve two different functions:
- Traps: A trap is a device that is designed to capture vapors and gases.
- Filters: A filter is a device that is designed to capture or reduce particulates, dust, smoke, and aerosols.
Body Style
- Coaxial, inline, or right angleBody Volume
- Large body volume: allows larger gas flows, higher conductance, and a lower frequency of media change outs
- Small body volume: smaller footprint.
Housing style
- Sealed traps: Ideal for light gas loads or intermittent use – discarded after the media has been consumed.
- Rechargeable traps: Housing is reused and only the media is replaced.
Port Terminations
- Tube end terminations: for vacuum systems with a base pressure of 10-3 Torr or higher
- ISO-QF and ISO-LF terminations with elastomeric seals: for vacuum systems with base pressures between 10-3 Torr and 10-8 Torr.
- ConFlat (CF) terminations: For vacuum systems with base pressures less than 10-8 Torr
Media
- Activated charcoal: recommended for organic effluents due to its affinity for organic molecules
- Stainless steel wool: can be used for extracting both PFPEs and hydrocarbons. It is susceptible to moisture saturation and cannot be packed tightly.
- Copper: Immune to moisture saturation but susceptible to corrosion. Compatible with applications that involve removing hydrocarbons; will not work with PFPE extraction.
- Alumina: Versatile filament that can be packed densely and has the ability to trap moisture. Recommended for applications involving hydrocarbon removal. Not recommended for high- moisture operations or applications that involve removing PFPEs.
Full Selection Guide
- Read our style Full Trap Selection Guide here.
Top 5 Commonly Asked Questions
- Read our Top 5 Commonly Asked Trap Questions here.
Sealed Traps
Our sealed traps offer impeccable containment solutions for pump fluid backstreaming in high and ultra-high vacuum applications. With connections to systems with ISO-QF flanges or hoses, these traps are designed for use with stainless steel or copper media.
Rechargeable Traps
Rechargeable Coaxial Traps
Rechargeable coaxial traps are designed for use with regenerable media options to allow for a prolonged product lifetime. Standard rechargeable traps have four media options: charcoal, stainless-steel wool, copper, and alumina.
Molecular Sieve Traps
Molecular sieve traps are a specialized rechargeable trap for removing hydrocarbons through zeolite pellet media and baking. Though baking is essential to removing moisture as part of the trapping process, it is not fully regenerative and experiences more wear than a standard rechargeable trap.
Cold Traps
LN2 Trap
LN2, or liquid nitrogen, traps are the preferred cold trap for vacuum systems experiencing vacuum levels higher than 10-3 Torr. Designed for use when the desired remaining substance vapor pressure is greater than the operation pressure.
Vacu-View Trap
The Vacu-View trap combines visibility with functionality. Monitor and manage your vacuum processes with ease through a clear and rechargeable housing, all while benefiting from exceptional trapping capabilities. Three media are compatible with the Vacu-View trap: caustic soda, activated alumina, and activated charcoal.
Filters
High-quality filters play a pivotal role in maintaining the purity of your vacuum systems by reducing particulates, dust, some, and aerosols. Protect from mechanical pump oil discharge with our range of open exhaust filters, closed exhaust filters, and hermetic exhaust filters.
Replacement Media
Ensure uninterrupted performance by changing your replacement media on a schedule appropriate for your application. Specially designed to complement our traps and filters, these media selections maintain the effectiveness of your equipment.