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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 degrees 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
calcs.
|
| ACFM |
Actual
CFM. 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 CFM. 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 'bout 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
Note that in a vacuum system, the volume of air expands (is rarified) as it travels
toward the air pump inlet (and thus travels faster in a fixed size pipe).
In the pressure system, air expands in exactly the same way as it
travels from the compression side of the air pump to the system end point.
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.
Read
"Under Pressure" next >
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title: Industrial Vacuum Buyer's Tips
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