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A Simple, Low-Cost Vacuum System

Dep. of Agronomy and Horitculture, P.O. Box 30003, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Vacuum pumps are used extensively in soil research, but often vacuum is not available or the vacuum system makes too much noise in a shared work area. A simple, low-cost vacuum pump can be made from an air-tight container, such as a desiccator, an aquarium air pump, and some tubing. These units have been operated reliably for periods exceeding 16 wk in the field, laboratories, and greenhouses. The pump has provided vacuum levels equal to about 0.03 MPa. The low cost (about $100.00) allows several systems to be made so that they can provide backup capabilities to each other.

Contribution from the New Mexico State Agric. Exp. Stn., Las Cruces, NM. Published as Journal Article no. 1392.

Received for publication April 19, 1988.