What is required for vacuum exhausts from multiple pumps joined to a common exhaust?

The requirement for vacuum exhausts from multiple pumps joined to a common exhaust is best satisfied by using a manual valve combined with a check valve. This combination ensures effective control and safety in the vacuum system.

A manual valve allows operators to control the flow of exhaust from each pump, enabling selective operation or maintenance of individual pumps without affecting the others in the system. This is crucial in maintaining operational flexibility and managing the system efficiently.

The check valve plays a vital role in preventing backflow. In a system where multiple pumps discharge into a common exhaust, a check valve ensures that if one pump goes offline or if there is a pressure change, the exhaust from that pump does not flow back into the other pumps. This protection is essential to maintain the integrity of the vacuum system, as backflow could lead to contamination, operational failure, or damage to the pumps.

In contrast, an automatic valve system might introduce unnecessary complexity and potential failure points. A pressure relief valve, while important in many systems, is typically associated with overpressure scenarios rather than the specific dynamics of vacuum exhausts. Lastly, stating that no additional requirements exist underestimates the critical nature of proper exhaust management in a multi-pump vacuum system, which can affect operational safety and efficiency.