A vacuum pump is a device which was invented in 1650 by Otto von Guericke. Its main function is to remove gas molecules from a sealed volume and leave a partial vacuum behind. Basically, it is used to pull out air and gases from a sealed or confined space due to which the space is left out of any gas and air molecules. They are used in various applications like cleaning, sealing etc.

Performance Measures
 

The performance is measured on the most important factor which is its pumping speed. The pumping speed refers to the volume flow rate of a pump at its inlet, often measured in volume per unit of time. The pumping rate is different for each type of pump and the gases being pumped. Depending on the chemical composition of the gases remaining in the chamber, the average volume flow rate of the pump varies. Another factor which signifies the performance level is throughput which means pumping speed multiplied by the gas pressure in the inlet. Number of molecules pumped out of per unit time at a constant temperature is known as throughput.

How Does It Operate?
 

It removes the air from the enclosed system by suction to progressively decrease the air density within the confined space so that vacuum is created. It evacuates the air contained within a system due to which the mechanical input energy of a rotating shaft is converted into pneumatic energy. The internal pressure level in a sealed volume becomes lower than that of the outside atmosphere. The amount of energy produced depends on the volume of gas or air removed and the produced pressure difference between internal and external atmosphere.