Industry

Vacuum pumps for carbon capture (CCUS)

In CCUS processes, bound CO₂ is released again from solvents or sorbents under vacuum – in amine scrubbing, in pressure swing adsorption, at membranes and in direct air capture; according to Leybold, a lot of water vapour is produced in the process. Atlas Copco names low pressure for the capture, compression and purification of the CO₂, Becker names vacuum for evacuation, desorption and regeneration. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks – 418 models from 5 manufacturers.

Compare 418 modelsSee the applications

  • 418Models
  • 24Series
  • 5Manufacturers
  • 7Applications
Operating principle of a liquid ring vacuum pump – the technology with the most models on this page. To the technology page

In short

Carbon capture (CCUS): vacuum pumps – the key facts

  • Direct air captureEdwards names around 400 ppm CO₂ in ambient air and about 1.25 million m³ of air per tonne of CO₂ – and the LR series for this.
  • Water vapourLeybold describes that a lot of water vapour is produced when the CO₂ is driven out under vacuum, and names CLAWVAC, DRYVAC, VARODRY and VACUBE with the Multi-VAControl controller.
  • Pump typesAlongside GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD and DRB, Atlas Copco names dry screw and claw vacuum pumps; Becker names rotary vane, claw and screw vacuum pumps as well as side channel blowers, also in gas-tight versions.
  • Less heatFor VPSA desorption Edwards describes the regeneration of the sorbent with less heat and, at membranes, the pressure difference as the driving force; Becker: vacuum on the permeate side, pressure on the retentate side.

Applications

Carbon capture (CCUS): 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.

Amine scrubbing and absorption

In absorption, CO₂ is bound from the flue gas with solvents – for example in amine scrubbing – and driven out again under vacuum (Leybold); according to Becker, the pressure reduction makes it easier to release the CO₂ during regeneration. For post-combustion capture Atlas Copco names large volume flows and GHS VSD+, AWS and AWD. Busch names COBRA NX/NC, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR, R5 RA/RB, SAMOS SB and TYR WT; Edwards names amine regeneration and gypsum dewatering in flue gas desulphurisation with EDS and steam ejectors.

More on Amine scrubbing and absorption →

Pressure swing adsorption (VPSA, TVSA) and moving bed

In adsorption (TVSA, TPSA, VSA, PVSA), according to Becker, the vacuum handles evacuation and desorption and maintains a stable pressure difference – in a fixed bed as in a moving bed. Edwards describes VPSA desorption as the regeneration of the sorbent with less heat and names LR, HR, GXS, EXS, EDS and EDC. For pressure swing adsorption Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, R5 and SAMOS, and additionally TYR for the moving bed method. Leybold names VPSA among the CCUS processes with CLAWVAC, DRYVAC and VARODRY and, for pre-combustion capture, describes the separation of the CO₂ from the hydrogen by pressure swing adsorption after gasification and the shift reaction.

More on Pressure swing adsorption (VPSA, TVSA) and moving bed →

Membrane separation

At the membrane, the vacuum on the permeate side and the pressure on the retentate side act as the driving force (Becker); Edwards also names the membrane pressure difference. For membrane separation Busch names COBRA NX/NC, MINK MM/MI, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR, R5 RA/RB and SAMOS SB. Atlas Copco names membrane separation alongside direct capture with DRB, Leybold lists membrane processes among the CCUS processes.

More on Membrane separation →

Direct air capture (DAC)

In DAC, solid sorbents bind CO₂ from the air and are regenerated under vacuum (Leybold); Atlas Copco describes that the loaded liquid is degassed under vacuum, and names dry screw vacuum pumps with DRB. Edwards names around 400 ppm CO₂ and about 1.25 million m³ of air per tonne of CO₂, and the LR series for this. Busch names COBRA NX/NC, MINK MM/MI, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR and R5 RA/RB; Becker lists DAC as a field of application.

More on Direct air capture (DAC) →

CO₂ compression, conditioning and liquefaction

After capture, impurities are removed from the CO₂ (Atlas Copco); Atlas Copco names low pressure for capture, compression and purification with GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD and DRB. Becker names gas handling before liquefaction or use, and pre-compression only as a possible support; Busch describes capture and storage with vacuum and overpressure.

More on CO₂ compression, conditioning and liquefaction →

Seawater degassing (offshore)

Atlas Copco names the degassing of seawater – CO₂ from seawater under harsh offshore conditions – with AWS and AWD plus a booster, as well as seawater deaeration for water injection in oil fields with deaerator systems.

More on Seawater degassing (offshore) →

BECCS, pre-combustion and oxyfuel

For BECCS Edwards names LR and HR; Edwards lists pre-combustion capture – CO₂ from syngas – without a product. Leybold describes that after gasification and the shift reaction the CO₂ is separated from the hydrogen by pressure swing adsorption, and that the vacuum acts there. Becker names pre-, post- and oxyfuel combustion as well as direct air capture as fields of application, without describing the role of the pump for each source.

More on BECCS, pre-combustion and oxyfuel →

Manufacturers and series

Carbon capture (CCUS): 5 manufacturers, 24 series

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

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

Product overview

Carbon capture (CCUS): all 418 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 AWD series 14 models

AWD 110 SPumping speed 106 m³/h 50 Hz128 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz3.7 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 140 SPumping speed 145 m³/h 50 Hz174 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz5.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 180 SPumping speed 186 m³/h 50 Hz223 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 300 SPumping speed 270 m³/h 50 Hz314 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 350 SPumping speed 342 m³/h 50 Hz411 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 400 SPumping speed 425 m³/h 50 Hz475 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 500 SPumping speed 501 m³/h 50 Hz590 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 600 SPumping speed 616 m³/h 50 Hz739 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 20 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 800 SPumping speed 862 m³/h 50 Hz1,032 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz37 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1200 SPumping speed 1,252 m³/h 50 Hz1,407 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz45 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1600 SPumping speed 1,589 m³/h 50 Hz1,717 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 45 kW 50 Hz75 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1960Pumping speed 2,000 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 75 kW 50 HzVariants 3
AWD 3280Pumping speed 3,300 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 110 kW 50 HzVariants 3
AWD 4510Pumping speed 4,500 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 132 kW 50 HzVariants 3

Atlas Copco AWS series 22 models

AWS 180Pumping speed 168 m³/h 50 Hz202 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 280Pumping speed 246 m³/h 50 Hz290 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 360Pumping speed 340 m³/h 50 Hz412 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 450Pumping speed 450 m³/h 50 Hz535 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 600Pumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz700 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 800Pumping speed 750 m³/h 50 Hz888 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1100Pumping speed 1,080 m³/h 50 Hz1,320 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz45 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1300Pumping speed 1,230 m³/h 50 Hz1,452 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz55 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1600Pumping speed 1,700 m³/h 50 Hz2,000 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 45 kW 50 Hz75 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 2500Pumping speed 2,450 m³/h 50 Hz2,780 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 75 kW 50 Hz90 kW 60 HzVariants 8

Atlas Copco DRB series 4 models

Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models

Becker BCV series 7 models

Becker SV series 16 models

Becker VADS series 3 models

Becker VASF series 6 models

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models

Busch MINK series 32 models

Busch R5 series 58 models

Busch SAMOS series 31 models

Busch TYR series 16 models

Edwards EDC series 2 models

Edwards EDS series 3 models

Edwards EHR/SHR series 9 models

Edwards EXS series 11 models

Edwards GXS series 10 models

Edwards LR1A series 12 models

Edwards LR1C series 9 models

Edwards LR1D series 12 models

Leybold CLAWVAC series 5 models

Leybold DRYVAC series 9 models

Model comparison

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

Selection

Carbon capture (CCUS): choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Water vapour

Leybold describes that a lot of water vapour is produced when the CO₂ is driven out under vacuum; for direct air capture Atlas Copco names the degassing of the loaded liquid under vacuum. The pump must handle this vapour – Leybold names CLAWVAC, DRYVAC and VARODRY for this.

Vacuum and overpressure

Busch describes capture and storage with vacuum and overpressure, Becker describes vacuum on the permeate side and pressure on the retentate side of the membrane; alongside LR vacuum pumps Edwards names LR compressors, Becker also names gas-tight side channel blowers. Often both sides have to be served.

Large volume flows

For post-combustion capture Atlas Copco names large volume flows (GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD); for direct air capture Edwards names about 1.25 million m³ of air per tonne of CO₂ at around 400 ppm. Here the pumping speed is the first selection criterion.

Pressure control

For adsorption Becker names a stable pressure difference and setting the pressure as tasks of the vacuum, Leybold names the Multi-VAControl controller with VACUBE for its series. Controllability belongs on the list of requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Carbon capture (CCUS): frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump for CO₂ capture (carbon capture)?

Atlas Copco names GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD and DRB as well as dry screw and claw vacuum pumps; Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, R5, SAMOS, TYR and MINK; Edwards names LR, HR, GXS, EXS, EDS and EDC; Leybold names CLAWVAC, DRYVAC and VARODRY. Becker names rotary vane, claw and screw vacuum pumps as well as gas-tight side channel blowers, without series. Which series fits depends on the process – amine scrubbing, adsorption, membrane or direct air capture.

Why does amine scrubbing need vacuum?

The CO₂ is bound from the flue gas with solvents and driven out again under vacuum, as Leybold describes; according to Becker, the pressure reduction makes it easier to release the CO₂ during regeneration. For amine scrubbing Busch names COBRA NX/NC, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR, R5 RA/RB, SAMOS SB and TYR WT, Edwards names amine regeneration with EDS and steam ejectors.

Which vacuum pump for pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) of CO₂?

Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, R5 and SAMOS, and additionally TYR for the moving bed method. Edwards describes VPSA desorption as the regeneration of the sorbent with less heat and names LR, HR, GXS, EXS, EDS and EDC. Leybold names VPSA with CLAWVAC, DRYVAC and VARODRY; for TVSA, TPSA, VSA and PVSA Becker describes evacuation, desorption and a stable pressure difference.

Which vacuum pump for direct air capture?

Edwards names the LR series and calculates with around 400 ppm CO₂ and about 1.25 million m³ of air per tonne of CO₂. Atlas Copco names dry screw vacuum pumps with DRB; according to Atlas Copco, the loaded liquid is degassed under vacuum. Busch names COBRA NX/NC, MINK MM/MI, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR and R5 RA/RB, Leybold describes solid sorbents that are regenerated under vacuum.

How much air has to be moved for one tonne of CO₂?

For direct air capture Edwards names about 1.25 million m³ of air per tonne of CO₂, because ambient air contains only around 400 ppm CO₂. Atlas Copco also names large volume flows for capture from flue gas.

How does membrane separation of CO₂ with vacuum work?

The vacuum on the permeate side and the pressure on the retentate side form the driving force, as Becker describes; Edwards names the membrane pressure difference. For membrane separation Busch names COBRA NX/NC, MINK MM/MI, DOLPHIN VL/LB/LR, R5 RA/RB and SAMOS SB, Atlas Copco names membrane separation with DRB.

Which vacuum pump for CO₂ compression and liquefaction?

Atlas Copco names low pressure for the capture, compression and purification of CO₂ with GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD and DRB; according to Atlas Copco, impurities are removed after capture. Becker names gas handling before liquefaction, and pre-compression only as a possible support. Alongside LR vacuum pumps Edwards names LR compressors.

Which vacuum pump for seawater degassing?

For CO₂ from seawater under harsh offshore conditions Atlas Copco names AWS and AWD plus a booster, and deaerator systems for seawater deaeration for water injection in oil fields.

What has to be considered with water vapour in CO₂ capture?

Leybold describes that a lot of water vapour is produced when the CO₂ is released from solvents or sorbents, and names CLAWVAC, DRYVAC, VARODRY and VACUBE with the Multi-VAControl controller for this. For direct air capture Atlas Copco names the degassing of the loaded liquid under vacuum. The pump must pass the vapour through without it condensing inside the pump.

Which pump types do the manufacturers name for CCUS?

Atlas Copco names dry screw and claw vacuum pumps as well as GHS VSD+, AWS, AWD, DRB and HEX@. Becker names rotary vane, claw and screw vacuum pumps as well as side channel blowers, also in gas-tight versions. Edwards names LR and HR, LR compressors, GXS, EXS, EDS and EDC; Leybold names CLAWVAC, DRYVAC, VARODRY and VACUBE; Busch names COBRA, MINK, DOLPHIN, R5, SAMOS and TYR. For carbon capture Pfeiffer Vacuum names only leak detectors and mass spectrometers.

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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