Application

Vacuum pumps for sterilisation

In sterilisation, vacuum removes the air from the steriliser so that steam, ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide reach every part of the load ā€“ according to Leybold, it ensures good distribution of the sterilant and dries the load at the end of the cycle. Edwards names air removal in steam, EtO, H2O2, plasma and e-beam processes. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it ā€“ 230 models from 6 manufacturers.

Compare 230 modelsHow it works

  • 230Models
  • 18Series
  • 6Manufacturers
  • down to 0.1 hPaPump-down cycles in H2O2 sterilisation (Pfeiffer Vacuum)
ABCDEFG

Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

Sterilisation: the key facts

  • Removing airAccording to Leybold, the vacuum removes the air so that the sterilant spreads well, and dries the load at the end of the cycle. Atlas Copco names air removal in the autoclave.
  • ProcessesEdwards names air removal in steam, EtO, H2O2, plasma and e-beam processes, Atlas Copco vacuum cycles in EtO sterilisation, Busch EtO and steam sterilisation with COBRA and DOLPHIN.
  • Cold sterilisationLeybold names H2O2 sterilisation for heat-sensitive products such as endoscopes with TRIVAC and NEO D. Pfeiffer Vacuum describes H2O2 sterilisation in pump-down cycles down to 0.1 hPa and lists ACP, DuoVane and HiScroll for it.
  • Steam and waterFor autoclaves Elmo Rietschle names L series liquid ring vacuum pumps for humid environments. For steam sterilisation Leybold names VARODRY, a dry screw pump that needs no water, instead of a liquid ring pump, Pfeiffer Vacuum vapour-tolerant rotary vane vacuum pumps.
ABCDEFG
  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: Sterilisation

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

  1. EvacuationThe vacuum pump removes the air from the chamber (Atlas Copco, Leybold) so that the sterilant reaches the entire load.
  2. SterilisationSteam, EtO or H2O2 act on the load ā€“ with EtO (Atlas Copco) and H2O2 (Pfeiffer Vacuum) in several vacuum cycles.
  3. DryingAt the end of the cycle the vacuum dries the load (Leybold); the steam condenses in the condenser.

Vacuum and sizing

Sterilisation: how much vacuum is needed

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

What vacuum

For H2O2 sterilisation Pfeiffer Vacuum names pump-down cycles down to 0.1 hPa.

What pumping speed

The pumping speed depends on the chamber volume and the cycle time. For sterilisation Pfeiffer Vacuum names vapour-tolerant rotary vane vacuum pumps and multi-stage Roots pumps.

Steam and humidity

Steam is what puts strain on the pump: Elmo Rietschle names liquid ring vacuum pumps for humid environments, Pfeiffer Vacuum vapour-tolerant rotary vane pumps, Leybold VARODRY as a dry screw pump that needs no water, Edwards chemical dry pumps, claw and liquid ring vacuum pumps.

Cycles

Atlas Copco names vacuum cycles in EtO sterilisation, Pfeiffer Vacuum pump-down cycles with H2O2, Leybold drying at the end of the cycle ā€“ the vacuum is built up several times per batch.

Technology

Sterilisation: 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.

Product overview

Sterilisation: all 230 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 GVD series 13 models

GVD 0.7Pumping speed 0.75 mĀ³/h 50 Hz0.95 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.09 kW 50 Hz0.09 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 1.5Pumping speed 1.6 mĀ³/h 50 Hz2 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.16 kW 50 Hz0.16 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 3Pumping speed 3.3 mĀ³/h 50 Hz3.9 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 4
GVD 5Pumping speed 5.1 mĀ³/h 50 Hz6.2 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 4
GVD 8Pumping speed 8.5 mĀ³/h 50 Hz10 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 5
GVD 12Pumping speed 12 mĀ³/h 50 Hz14.2 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 5
GVD 18Pumping speed 17 mĀ³/h 50 Hz20.4 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.75 kW 50 Hz0.9 kW 60 HzVariants 3
GVD 28Pumping speed 27.5 mĀ³/h 50 Hz33 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.75 kW 50 Hz0.9 kW 60 HzVariants 3
GVD 45Pumping speed 42 mĀ³/h 50 Hz50 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.3 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 65Pumping speed 60 mĀ³/h 50 Hz72 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 85Pumping speed 79 mĀ³/h 50 Hz95 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.6 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 175Pumping speed 160 mĀ³/h 50 Hz196 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 275Pumping speed 255 mĀ³/h 50 Hz306 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 Ɨ 10-3 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz8.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2

Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models

LRP 700 VSD+Pumping speed 740 mĀ³/h 50 Hz740 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 10
LRP 900 VSD+Pumping speed 940 mĀ³/h 50 Hz940 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 26 kW 50 Hz26 kW 60 HzVariants 10

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models

Edwards LR1A series 12 models

Edwards LR1C series 9 models

Edwards LR1D series 12 models

Elmo Rietschle L-BL2 series 7 models

Elmo Rietschle L-BV2 series 4 models

Elmo Rietschle L-BV3 series 1 model

Elmo Rietschle L-BV5 series 5 models

Elmo Rietschle L-BV7 series 4 models

Leybold NEO D series 5 models

Leybold TRIVAC series 20 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP series 4 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum DuoVane series 12 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll series 4 models

Model comparison

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

Industries

Sterilisation: where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Medical and healthcare

For medicine and hospitals, sterilisation is named by Atlas Copco (air removal in the autoclave, EtO cycles; GVD, LRP VSD+, AWC), Busch (EtO and steam sterilisation with COBRA and DOLPHIN), Elmo Rietschle (L series for autoclaves), Leybold (TRIVAC and NEO D, H2O2 for endoscopes) and Pfeiffer Vacuum (H2O2 down to 0.1 hPa with ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll).

Industry page: Medical and healthcare ā†’

Mechanical engineering and manufacturing

Edwards names sterilisation among industrial applications: air removal in steam, EtO, H2O2, plasma and e-beam processes with chemical dry pumps, claw vacuum pumps and liquid ring vacuum pumps (LR1A, LR1C, LR1D).

Industry page: Mechanical engineering and manufacturing ā†’

Frequently asked questions

Sterilisation: frequently asked questions

Why does an autoclave need a vacuum pump?

Because the air has to leave the chamber before the steam can act: Atlas Copco names air removal in the autoclave, Leybold the good distribution of the sterilant through the vacuum. At the end of the cycle the vacuum dries the load (Leybold).

How does steam sterilisation with vacuum work?

The pump evacuates the chamber, then the steam flows in and reaches every part of the load (Leybold: good distribution of the sterilant). After the exposure time the chamber is evacuated again, and the vacuum dries the load (Leybold). Busch names steam sterilisation with COBRA and DOLPHIN, Elmo Rietschle autoclaves with L series liquid ring vacuum pumps.

What is H2O2 sterilisation (cold sterilisation)?

A sterilisation with hydrogen peroxide at low temperature. Leybold names it for heat-sensitive products such as endoscopes, Pfeiffer Vacuum describes it as pump-down cycles down to 0.1 hPa. Edwards also lists plasma and e-beam processes.

Which vacuum pump for sterilisers?

Leybold names TRIVAC and NEO D (and VARODRY for steam), Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP, DuoVane and HiScroll, Busch COBRA and DOLPHIN, Elmo Rietschle the L series, Edwards LR1A, LR1C and LR1D as well as chemical dry pumps and claw vacuum pumps, Atlas Copco GVD, LRP VSD+ and AWC.

How much vacuum does sterilisation need?

For H2O2 sterilisation Pfeiffer Vacuum names pump-down cycles down to 0.1 hPa. The pressure required depends on the process.

Liquid ring or dry pump for steam sterilisation?

Both are named. Elmo Rietschle names L series liquid ring vacuum pumps for the humid environment of autoclaves, Edwards liquid ring pumps alongside chemical dry pumps and claw pumps. For steam sterilisation Leybold names VARODRY, a dry screw pump that needs no water, instead of a liquid ring pump; Pfeiffer Vacuum names vapour-tolerant rotary vane vacuum pumps.

Which vacuum pump for H2O2 sterilisation?

Pfeiffer Vacuum lists ACP, DuoVane and HiScroll for it, Leybold TRIVAC and NEO D. Pfeiffer Vacuum names pump-down cycles down to 0.1 hPa.

What happens in EtO sterilisation with vacuum?

Atlas Copco names vacuum cycles in EtO sterilisation. In these the chamber is evacuated, the ethylene oxide is admitted and then pumped out again. Busch names EtO sterilisation with COBRA and DOLPHIN, Edwards air removal in the EtO process.

How are sterile goods dried after sterilisation?

With vacuum: according to Leybold, it dries the load at the end of the cycle. The residual steam is pumped off and condenses in the condenser.

Which vacuum pump for heat-sensitive instruments such as endoscopes?

For heat-sensitive products such as endoscopes, Leybold names H2O2 sterilisation (cold sterilisation) with TRIVAC and NEO D. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists ACP, DuoVane and HiScroll for H2O2 sterilisation.

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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