A vacuum priming system is an industrial quality system designed specifically for the challenges associated with priming centrifugal and turbine pumps when the water source is below the pumps (e.g. a non-flooded suction). Major components include vacuum pumps, air receivers, priming valves, and control panels. Priming systems are typically manufactured in simplex or duplex designs with rotary vane or liquid ring vacuum pumps used to produce the necessary vacuum. Fully automatic controls are most common; however, systems with manual controls are available. A well-designed priming system allows the use of more reliable, cost-effective pump technologies while ensuring that pumps are always ready to start immediately without troublesome start-up procedures.

Priming systems can be used in any application where a water source needs to be lifted to a higher elevation. Since the introduction of the Q-VAC brand in the early 1990’s, Q-VAC priming systems have been installed in municipal water plants, wastewater treatment plants, commercial ships, naval ships, marine applications, siphon control systems, irrigation systems, aquariums, steel mills, power plants, fountains, landfills, industrial applications, and other pump priming applications.