Dental Suction Comparison- Part 7- Explaining Low-flow Suction

The supporters of Low-flow vacuum systems report an average vacuum level in the system of 10” of Hg is desirable, with 8” of Hg being a minimum.

In a Low-flow system, the vacuum pump continues to move air from 10” to 15” of Hg, and in the case of a BaseVac system, up to 25” of Hg. The real advantage is in the form of increased velocity. As the system loads with liquids, the vacuum energy required increases beyond 10” of Hg, but the volume does not drop off as dramatically as it would in a High-flow system. The higher the vacuum with the least amount of drop-in volume equates to an increase in velocity.

The next two segments of our series will be looking at how Low-flow systems works, as well as their benefits.

Added Benefit – Stored Volume

A new feature occurs in a Low-flow system that is called a stored volume. As the users open and close the suction tools and the average vacuum goes beyond 10” of Hg. The high suction capacity of Low-flow pumps allows them to suck more air out of the piping than can enter. When this happens, it creates a suction or volume reservoir. When the Dental Professional goes to use their HVE or SE, they get instant vacuum power as they fill the reservoir with air. The amazing thing however, the average vacuum stays above 10” of Hg, not below. The higher the suction power, the more space you can create in the vacuum reservoir, utilizing the air gaps in the air/water separator tank and vacuum lines. The higher the vacuum the higher the induced flow effect from velocity.

Another way of putting it, think of a BaseVac as a reverse compressor; instead of creating and storing compressed air, we create a reservoir of vacuum.

Diversity of the Low-flow

The Low-flow systems traditionally have higher-end vacuum points. This allows for a more diverse installation capability, such as vertical lift appliances and smaller piping systems. The BaseVac system, with its industry-leading 25” of Hg, can easily overcome any sized pipe and excels at small pipe applications because of the added suction capability. The smaller piping allows fr increased velocity and higher average vacuum level due to an increased ability to share a larger vacuum (volume) reservoir.

With BaseVac’s high suction capacity, as the system loads, the vacuum level increases beyond 12” of Hg. The continued volume moves through the high-efficiency vacuum pump increasing the velocity over the entire system.

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