Industry

Vacuum pumps for refrigeration and air conditioning

Brake and air-conditioning lines are evacuated before filling (Busch), finished units are leak-tested under vacuum (Pfeiffer Vacuum, Busch), and in vacuum die casting and vacuum drying the pump ensures gas-free moulds and dry parts. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks – 358 models from 3 manufacturers.

Compare 358 modelsSee the applications

  • 358Models
  • 16Series
  • 3Manufacturers
  • 5Applications
Operating principle of an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump – the technology with the most models on this page. To the technology page

In short

Refrigeration and air conditioning: vacuum pumps – the key facts

  • Evacuating and fillingBusch names R5 for evacuating brake and air-conditioning lines before filling, and DOLPHIN as well in its product finder; Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiScroll for liquid extraction, filling and vacuum evacuation.
  • Leak testingPfeiffer Vacuum describes integral leak testing under vacuum for air-conditioning, battery, tank and hydraulic systems with leak rates down to ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s (DuoVane, HiLobe, COMBI); Busch names COBRA, PANDA and R5 for leak testing of HVAC units, batteries and tanks.
  • Series namedFor cooling and air conditioning Busch lists COBRA, MINK, PANDA, PUMA, R5, SAMOS, SECO and TYR, Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L, ACP, COMBI, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll; Atlas Copco names GVD for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
  • Vacuum die castingFor removing the gases from the mould in aluminium and magnesium die casting Busch names COBRA, MINK, PANDA and R5; Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe and COMBI.

Applications

Refrigeration and air conditioning: what vacuum pumps are used for

For each application: what the vacuum does and which series the manufacturers name for it. The information comes from the manufacturers’ own pages.

Evacuating and filling refrigeration and air-conditioning lines

Brake and air-conditioning lines are evacuated before filling (Busch); Busch names R5 for this, and DOLPHIN and R5 in its product finder. Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiScroll for liquid extraction and liquid filling as well as for vacuum evacuation and vacuum filling, and HiLobe in addition for integral leak testing of air-conditioning systems.

More on Evacuating and filling refrigeration and air-conditioning lines →

Leak detection and leak testing

Busch names COBRA, PANDA and R5 for end-of-line leak testing of HVAC units, batteries and tanks, and COBRA and R5 for leak detectors. Pfeiffer Vacuum describes integral leak testing under vacuum for air-conditioning, battery, tank and hydraulic systems with leak rates down to ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s (DuoVane, HiLobe, COMBI) and helium leak detection by spraying, with about 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s, for localisation; as pumps for leak detection Pfeiffer Vacuum lists A 100/200 L, ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll.

More on Leak detection and leak testing →

Vacuum die casting

In aluminium and magnesium die casting the gases are removed from the mould (Busch); Busch names COBRA, MINK, PANDA and R5 for this, and in its product finder R5 for die casting and COBRA and PANDA for vacuum die casting. Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe and COMBI.

More on Vacuum die casting →

Vacuum drying

Moisture evaporates under vacuum at low temperature (Busch); Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN and R5 for this, MINK and COBRA for material drying, and COBRA, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5 in its product finder. Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, COMBI, DuoVane and HiScroll, and HiLobe as well in its product finder.

More on Vacuum drying →

Pick & place and component handling

Parts are moved by vacuum or held in place during machining (Busch); for fast component handling Busch names MINK, for pick-and-place MINK, SAMOS, SECO and TYR, and for feeding systems MINK, SECO, SAMOS and R5.

More on Pick & place and component handling →

Manufacturers and series

Refrigeration and air conditioning: 3 manufacturers, 16 series

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this industry. “Show only …” sets the filter of the product overview.

Product overview

Refrigeration and air conditioning: all 358 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection – by manufacturer, technology and the models’ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

Atlas Copco GVD series 13 models

GVD 0.7Pumping speed 0.75 m³/h 50 Hz0.95 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.09 kW 50 Hz0.09 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 1.5Pumping speed 1.6 m³/h 50 Hz2 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.16 kW 50 Hz0.16 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 3Pumping speed 3.3 m³/h 50 Hz3.9 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 4
GVD 5Pumping speed 5.1 m³/h 50 Hz6.2 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 4
GVD 8Pumping speed 8.5 m³/h 50 Hz10 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 5
GVD 12Pumping speed 12 m³/h 50 Hz14.2 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 2 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.45 kW 50 Hz0.55 kW 60 HzVariants 5
GVD 18Pumping speed 17 m³/h 50 Hz20.4 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.75 kW 50 Hz0.9 kW 60 HzVariants 3
GVD 28Pumping speed 27.5 m³/h 50 Hz33 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 0.75 kW 50 Hz0.9 kW 60 HzVariants 3
GVD 45Pumping speed 42 m³/h 50 Hz50 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.3 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 65Pumping speed 60 m³/h 50 Hz72 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 85Pumping speed 79 m³/h 50 Hz95 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 3 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 2.2 kW 50 Hz2.6 kW 60 HzVariants 1
GVD 175Pumping speed 160 m³/h 50 Hz196 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2
GVD 275Pumping speed 255 m³/h 50 Hz306 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 1 × 10-3 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz8.5 kW 60 HzVariants 2

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

COBRA NS 0070 CPumping speed 70 m³/h 50 Hz85 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0100 BPumping speed 110 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0100 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 130 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 4.8 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NS 0160 CPumping speed 135 m³/h 50 Hz170 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz6.6 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0200 BPumping speed 220 m³/h 50 Hz265 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 6 kW 50 Hz7.6 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0200 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 265 m³/h 50 Hz265 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.6 kW 50 Hz7.6 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0300 BPumping speed 320 m³/h 50 Hz385 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants 4
COBRA NC 0400 BPumping speed 350 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0450 APumping speed 350 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0300 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 385 m³/h 50 Hz385 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 9.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0400 B ECOTORQUEPumping speed 420 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 9.5 kW 50 Hz9.5 kW 60 HzVariants

Busch COBRA Semicon series 22 models

Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models

Busch HUCKEPACK series 4 models

Busch MINK series 32 models

Busch PANDA/PUMA series 26 models

Busch R5 series 58 models

Busch SAMOS series 31 models

Busch SECO series 10 models

Busch TYR series 16 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L series 3 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP series 4 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum DuoVane series 12 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe series 17 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll series 4 models

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its “Outdated models” section.

Selection

Refrigeration and air conditioning: choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Evacuation before filling

Busch names R5 for evacuating brake and air-conditioning lines before filling, Pfeiffer Vacuum DuoVane and HiScroll for evacuation and filling. The manufacturers do not state which ultimate pressure and which pumping speed this application requires – that depends on the volume and cycle time of the system.

Localisation or integral testing

Pfeiffer Vacuum distinguishes helium leak detection by spraying (about 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s, localisation without leak rate measurement) from integral leak testing under vacuum (down to ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s) for air-conditioning, battery, tank and hydraulic systems. For end-of-line testing of HVAC units Busch names COBRA, PANDA and R5.

Moisture and drying

Under vacuum, moisture evaporates at low temperature (Busch); Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN and R5 for this, Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP, COMBI, DuoVane and HiScroll. For vacuum die casting, in which gases are removed from the mould, Busch names COBRA, MINK, PANDA and R5.

Frequently asked questions

Refrigeration and air conditioning: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump is suitable for evacuating air-conditioning systems and refrigeration lines?

Busch names R5 for evacuating brake and air-conditioning lines before filling and lists DOLPHIN and R5 in its product finder. Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiScroll for liquid extraction, filling and vacuum evacuation.

Why is an air-conditioning line evacuated before filling?

Busch names the evacuation of brake and air-conditioning lines before filling as an application of its R5 series; the pump removes the air from the line before the medium is filled in. Under vacuum, moisture also evaporates at low temperature (Busch), so that water is pumped out of the line.

Which vacuum pump for leak testing of air-conditioning systems (HVAC)?

Busch names COBRA, PANDA and R5 for end-of-line leak testing of HVAC units, batteries and tanks. For integral leak testing of air-conditioning systems Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane, HiLobe and COMBI, and as pumps for leak detection A 100/200 L, ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll.

What leak rate does leak detection on refrigeration and air-conditioning systems achieve?

For integral leak testing under vacuum Pfeiffer Vacuum states leak rates down to ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s, and for helium leak detection by spraying about 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s – for localisation, not as a leak rate measurement. Busch gives no figures on this.

Which vacuum pump for vacuum die casting?

For removing the gases from the mould in aluminium and magnesium die casting Busch names COBRA, MINK, PANDA and R5. Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe and COMBI.

Which vacuum pump for vacuum drying?

Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN and R5 for drying, in which moisture evaporates under vacuum at low temperature, and MINK and COBRA for material drying. Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, COMBI, DuoVane and HiScroll, and HiLobe as well in its product finder.

Which pump for pick & place and component handling?

Busch names MINK for fast component handling, MINK, SAMOS, SECO and TYR for pick-and-place, and MINK, SECO, SAMOS and R5 for feeding systems in which parts are held and fed.

Which series do the manufacturers name for refrigeration and air conditioning?

For cooling and air conditioning Busch lists COBRA, MINK, PANDA, PUMA, R5, SAMOS, SECO and TYR, Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L, ACP, COMBI, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll. Atlas Copco names GVD for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems without describing the application further.

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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