Thank you for following our series through our other segments. To date, we have already helped explain suction requirements in clinics, as well as velocity. The next few segments will be diving in deeper to provide a better understanding of High-flow and Low-flow vacuum.
Today, we will be providing a better understanding of High-flow systems.
High-flow
The supporters of High-flow systems suggest that maintaining vacuum energy between a minimum of 5” and a maximum of 10” of Hg is ideal. We now know how little air can move through an HVE and SE suction tool. We also know that with an increase in suction, the volume in a High-flow system decreases quickly. We also stated that the induced flow advantage of velocity requires volume levels beyond 12” of Hg.
On the start-up of a system, with a lot of open clear holes, a high flow system works well. These systems typically require a large vacuum line, a minimum of 1.5” as a trunk line. As the system begins to load and the need for flow is replaced with the need for vacuum energy, the High-flow system passes the “magical” point of 10” of Hg and the pump’s volumetric capacity drops off quickly.
The effects of velocity are not realized because the drop in volume cannot be compensated by an increase in vacuum. When the system unloads or clears, the vacuum level drops, swinging the vacuum level towards a minimum again.
In summary, the High-flow vacuum systems work best if the number of open suction tools is high and the average desired suction energy swings from 5” to 10” of Hg. Additionally, the main trunk line for the vacuum has to be large enough to prevent the energy required to move liquids from reaching a level beyond 10” of Hg. Due to this restriction, this reduces the viable use of High-flow vacuums, especially for clinics with small vacuum lines and requiring a vertical lift.
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In the next coming segments, we will have a better look at Low-flow systems, and in which dental applications they are the most viable.