This is the lesson in "air flow" that's eventually covered in just about every vacuum system sale.
There is more confusion over the terms "SCFM", "ICFM" and
"ACFM" than any other topic in the wonderful world of compressed air. So, for
the layman, here are a few definitions:
SCFM
Standard Cubic Feet of air per Minute. For our purposes, this
is the volume of air standardized at 68° F at sea level pressure. We
tend to disregard the "sea level" part when talking to you about systems. But
we do take site elevation into account in the design calculations.
ACFM
Actual Cubic Feet of air per Minute. Air is compressible.
When pressure is applied to a standard cubic foot of air, it gets
smaller. When vacuum is applied, it expands. The volume of air after
it is pressurized or rarified is referred to as its actual
volume.
ICFM
Inlet Cubic Feet of air per Minute. Just to make things more
confusing, blower manufacturers use charts that specify their volume performance
based on conditions at the inlet of their equipment. And because air
system designers have to read these charts, we tend to use the term. No one
else does; but since we do, you need to, too. Sorry about that!
The system diagram below shows three different points in both a vacuum
and pressure type system. Note that the location of ICFM changes with pressure
and vacuum applications.
And as a final small note, the only difference between a vacuum producer (or exhauster) and a blower is the side of the process connection.
To get fast answers to your questions about our
industrial vacuums, please call us immediately at 1-717-854-4050!
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1-717-854-4050
