Traps

The vacuum trap:
• protects the pump, pump oil and piping from the potentially
damaging effects of the material;
• protects people who must work on the
vacuum lines or system, and;
• prevents vapors and related odors from being
emitted back into the laboratory or system
exhaust.
Improper trapping can allow vapor to be emitted from the exhaust of
the vacuum system. It results in either reentry into the laboratory and
building or potential exposure to maintenance workers. Proper traps
are important for both local pumps and building systems.
Proper Trapping Techniques
To prevent contamination, we must equip all lines leading from experimental apparatus to the vacuum source. And the vacuum source is  with filtration or other trapping as appropriate.

• Particulates. we use filtration capable of efficiently trapping the
particles in the size range being generated.
• Biological Material. We use a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)
filter.  We may also require liquid disinfectant (e.g. bleach or other appropriate material) traps.
• Aqueous or non-volatile liquids. We adequate a filter flask at room
temperature to prevent liquids from getting to the
vacuum source.
• Solvents and other volatile liquids. We use a cold trap of sufficient
size and cold enough to condense vapors generated. A
filter flask capable of collecting fluid. They could be aspirated out of
the cold trap.
• Highly reactive, corrosive or toxic gases. We use a sorbent canister
or scrubbing device capable of trapping the gas, too.