Application

Vacuum pumps for vacuum filtration

In vacuum filtration, the chamber under the filter medium is evacuated. The solid remains on the filter as a cake; according to Atlas Copco, the pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter, and in synthesis and formulation this is how solids are separated. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it ā€“ 323 models from 4 manufacturers.

Compare 323 modelsHow it works

  • 323Models
  • 22Series
  • 4Manufacturers
  • above 1 hPatypical pressure (Busch)
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Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

Vacuum filtration: the key facts

  • PrincipleAtlas Copco describes filtration as follows: the pressure difference between the atmosphere and the evacuated filtrate chamber drives the liquid through the filter; in synthesis and formulation, this is used to separate solids.
  • PressureFor filtration and degassing in the pharmaceutical industry, Busch lists a typical pressure above 1 hPa.
  • Liquid ringFor filtration, Atlas Copco lists the liquid ring vacuum pumps AWC, AWL, AWS and LRP VSD+, Busch names DOLPHIN (in its product finder specifically for vacuum filtration), Edwards LR.
  • Rotary vaneFor the beverage industry, Elmo Rietschle writes that rotary vane vacuum pumps support filtration, and names its V series; Busch names R5, Edwards E2M Ex.
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  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: Vacuum filtration

The drawing shows the basic principle in section. The systems and pumps of the individual manufacturers differ in detail.

  1. FeedingThe suspension is placed on the filter medium; the filtrate chamber below is still vented. Atlas Copco names the product of synthesis and formulation as the process material.
  2. EvacuatingThe vacuum pump lowers the pressure under the filter. The pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter (Atlas Copco); Busch names a typical pressure above 1 hPa for this.
  3. Suction dryingOnce the filtrate has passed through, the pump continues to draw air through the cake until it is removed. Edwards names filtration together with dewatering.

Vacuum and sizing

Vacuum filtration: how much vacuum is needed

What the manufacturers say about pressure, pumping speed and sizing.

Which vacuum

For filtration and degassing in the pharmaceutical industry, Busch lists a typical pressure above 1 hPa. Filtration depends on the pressure difference (Atlas Copco), not on a low ultimate pressure.

Liquid ring or dry

For liquid ring vacuum pumps, Atlas Copco names AWC, AWL, AWS and LRP VSD+, Busch DOLPHIN and Edwards LR. Alongside them are rotary vane vacuum pumps (the Elmo Rietschle V series for beverage filtration, oil-lubricated Busch R5 and Edwards E2M Ex) and dry pumps (Busch COBRA ā€“ for analytics and laboratory ā€“ and MINK, Edwards EDS and XDS). Busch also lists APOVAC, which is not part of our range.

Filtration with degassing and dewatering

Busch names filtration and degassing together (chemicals, pharmaceuticals), Edwards filtration and dewatering, Atlas Copco filtration and separation; Pfeiffer Vacuum lists filtration and degassing in its product finder. For oil and gas, Busch describes the vacuum-assisted filtration of crude oil.

Technology

Vacuum filtration: the vacuum pumps the manufacturers name

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this application. ā€œShow only ā€¦ā€ sets the filter of the product overview.

Pfeiffer Vacuum names the application without naming a series for it.

Product overview

Vacuum filtration: all 323 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection ā€“ by manufacturer, technology and the modelsā€™ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

Atlas Copco AWC series 9 models

AWC 30Pumping speed 27 mĀ³/h 50 Hz32 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.5 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 50Pumping speed 52 mĀ³/h 50 Hz62 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz2.4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 80Pumping speed 80 mĀ³/h 50 Hz96 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 110Pumping speed 110 mĀ³/h 50 Hz130 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3.85 ā€“ 4 kW 50 Hz6.3 kW 60 HzVariants 9
AWC 160Pumping speed 165 mĀ³/h 50 Hz185 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz5.5 ā€“ 6.3 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 220Pumping speed 230 mĀ³/h 50 Hz265 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 ā€“ 8.2 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 290Pumping speed 280 mĀ³/h 50 Hz310 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 ā€“ 12.6 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 390Pumping speed 400 mĀ³/h 50 Hz420 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 ā€“ 16.5 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 500Pumping speed 500 mĀ³/h 50 Hz535 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 15

Atlas Copco AWL series 11 models

AWL 4000Pumping speed 4,290 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 160 kW 50 HzVariants
AWL 5500Pumping speed 5,580 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 185 kW 50 HzVariants
AWL 7000Pumping speed 6,900 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 185 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 9500Pumping speed 9,200 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 200 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 12500Pumping speed 12,500 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 280 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 15000Pumping speed 15,000 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 315 kW 50 HzVariants 9
AWL 17500Pumping speed 17,400 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 400 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 21500Pumping speed 21,300 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 450 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 26000Pumping speed 25,800 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 560 kW 50 HzVariants 6
AWL 30000Pumping speed 30,000 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 630 kW 50 HzVariants 4
AWL 37500Pumping speed 36,600 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 800 kW 50 HzVariants

Atlas Copco AWS series 22 models

AWS 180Pumping speed 168 mĀ³/h 50 Hz202 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 280Pumping speed 246 mĀ³/h 50 Hz290 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 360Pumping speed 340 mĀ³/h 50 Hz412 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 450Pumping speed 450 mĀ³/h 50 Hz535 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 8

Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models

Busch MINK series 32 models

Busch R5 series 58 models

Edwards E2M series 9 models

Edwards EDS series 3 models

Edwards LR1A series 12 models

Edwards LR1C series 9 models

Edwards LR1D series 12 models

Edwards XDS series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle V-KTR series 4 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VCA/VCE series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VCB series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VCS series 13 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VCX series 7 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VGD series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VTN series 3 models

Elmo Rietschle V-VTR series 2 models

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its ā€œOutdated modelsā€ section.

Industries

Vacuum filtration: where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Chemicals

In chemicals, Atlas Copco describes how the pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter; Busch names COBRA, R5, DOLPHIN and MINK, Edwards EDS, LR, E2M Ex and XDS for filtration and dewatering, and Pfeiffer Vacuum lists the application in its product finder.

Industry page: Chemicals ā†’

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Atlas Copco names filtration and separation for separating solids in synthesis and formulation; Busch gives a typical pressure above 1 hPa for filtration and degassing and names R5, MINK, DOLPHIN and COBRA; Pfeiffer Vacuum lists the application.

Industry page: Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology ā†’

Beverages and bottling

For the beverage industry, Elmo Rietschle writes that rotary vane vacuum pumps support filtration, and names its V series for this.

Industry page: Beverages and bottling ā†’

Oil and gas

For oil and gas, Busch describes the vacuum-assisted filtration of crude oil.

Industry page: Oil and gas ā†’

Research, laboratory and analytics

For analytics and laboratory, Busch names filtration with the dry screw vacuum pump COBRA.

Industry page: Research, laboratory and analytics ā†’

Mining

Busch also names filtration for mining, without describing it in more detail there.

Industry page: Mining ā†’

Frequently asked questions

Vacuum filtration: frequently asked questions

How does vacuum filtration work?

The chamber under the filter medium is evacuated. According to Atlas Copco, the pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter; the solid remains behind as a cake. The pump draws off the air that is pulled through the filter and the cake.

How much vacuum does vacuum filtration need?

For filtration and degassing in the pharmaceutical industry, Busch lists a typical pressure above 1 hPa. What matters is the pressure difference (Atlas Copco), not a low ultimate pressure.

Which vacuum pump is suitable for vacuum filtration?

Atlas Copco lists the liquid ring vacuum pumps AWC, AWL, AWS and LRP VSD+, Busch DOLPHIN, R5, COBRA and MINK, Edwards EDS, LR, E2M Ex and XDS, Elmo Rietschle the rotary vane vacuum pumps of the V series. For vacuum filtration in the narrower sense, Busch names DOLPHIN in its product finder.

Why liquid ring vacuum pumps for filtration?

They are named by Atlas Copco (AWC, AWL, AWS, LRP VSD+), Busch (DOLPHIN) and Edwards (LR). When the cake is dried by suction and when foam forms, liquid and vapours enter the pump; the operating liquid in the pump chamber tolerates this.

Oil-free or oil-lubricated for vacuum filtration?

Both are named. Oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps: Busch R5, Edwards E2M Ex; for beverages, Elmo Rietschle names its V series with oil-lubricated and dry-running rotary vane vacuum pumps. Dry pumps: Busch COBRA (analytics and laboratory) and MINK, Edwards EDS and XDS. In addition, there are the liquid ring vacuum pumps from Atlas Copco, Busch and Edwards, which work without oil.

Which vacuum pump for filtration in the laboratory?

For analytics and laboratory, Busch names filtration with the dry screw vacuum pump COBRA. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists filtration and degassing in its product finder without naming a series from our range.

How is crude oil filtered under vacuum?

For oil and gas, Busch names the vacuum-assisted filtration of crude oil without giving pressures or series for it. The principle is the same as in chemistry: the pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter.

What is the difference between filtration and dewatering under vacuum?

Edwards names both together (filtration / dewatering) with EDS, LR, E2M Ex and XDS. In filtration, the liquid is drawn through the filter and the solid remains behind; dewatering is about drying the solid by suction, for which the pump continues to draw air through the cake.

What to do if filtrate enters the vacuum pump?

A separator between the filter vessel and the pump catches filtrate, foam and droplets. Where liquid and vapours occur regularly, Atlas Copco (AWC, AWL, AWS, LRP VSD+), Busch (DOLPHIN) and Edwards (LR) name liquid ring vacuum pumps, whose operating liquid tolerates this.

A single pump or a central vacuum system?

A central system in a room of its own keeps noise and heat away from production and matches its output to the demand. Central vacuum systems are planned and built by Eugen Theis Vakuum, a company of the Ehrler & Beck group ā€“ more under Central Vacuum.

Does Ehrler & Beck also supply spare parts and service?

Yes. Ehrler & Beck offers original spare parts and accessories as well as maintenance and repair.

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