Industry

Vacuum pumps for the chemical industry

In the chemical industry, vacuum is at work from raw material transport to distillation (Busch): it lowers boiling points and process temperatures, protects products, removes impurities and excludes oxygen (Edwards). Elmo Rietschle names vacuum and compression for continuous and batch processes, Atlas Copco names low pressure for reactions and processes. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks – 751 models from 5 manufacturers.

Compare 751 modelsSee the applications

  • 751Models
  • 69Series
  • 5Manufacturers
  • 8Applications
Columns of a chemical plant
Columns of a chemical plant

In short

Chemicals: vacuum pumps – the key facts

  • DistillationIn its product finder, Busch places solvent recovery at pressures above 1 hPa and vacuum distillation below 1 hPa; as an example, Busch names a system for 8 mbar made up of two PANDA WV booster stages and a DOLPHIN LB. For crude oil distillation Busch names 10 to 50 hPa.
  • Lower temperatureAs benefits of vacuum in the chemical industry, Edwards names lower energy use, a lower process temperature, gentler treatment of products and the exclusion of oxygen. For drying under vacuum Busch names a reduction from weeks to a few days.
  • Pump typesFor the chemical industry Edwards names dry-running pumps, liquid ring and rotary vane pumps, Roots pumps, ejectors and oil vapour boosters. Elmo Rietschle names its V, G, L, S and C series, Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe, HiScroll and SmartVane.
  • Flammable substancesFor the petrochemical industry Edwards names contamination-free pumping of flammable substances with GXS, EDS and EH, and ATEX versions such as nES Ex. Busch names the DOLPHIN for petroleum refining, also in an ATEX version, Atlas Copco names the GHS VSD+ in the Humid version.

Applications

Chemicals: 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.

Distillation, evaporation and solvent recovery

Vacuum lowers the boiling point, so substances boil at a lower temperature and are separated gently (Busch, Edwards). In its product finder, Busch places solvent recovery above 1 hPa and vacuum distillation below 1 hPa; for crude oil distillation Busch names 10 to 50 hPa, in which the residue is separated without cracking. For short-path distillation Edwards names oil vapour boosters for low operating pressures.

  • BuschDOLPHIN, COBRA Industry, R5, HUCKEPACK, PANDA/PUMA, MINK also names APOVAC
  • EdwardsLR1A, LR1C, LR1D, EH also names E2M Ex, XDS and GV
  • Elmo Rietschlenames continuous and batch distillation, thin-film evaporation and solvent recovery without a series
  • Pfeiffer Vacuumnames distillation and solvent recovery without a series

More on Distillation, evaporation and solvent recovery →

Vacuum drying

Under vacuum, moisture evaporates at a low temperature (Atlas Copco, Busch); Busch names a reduction from weeks to a few days and, for slurry drying, the gentle removal of moisture and solvents with R5 RA and COBRA NC/NX. Elmo Rietschle cites short evacuation times of the S-VSI 300 with up to 380 m³/h and 0.1 mbar (abs.) as an example for drying processes and names versions with high water vapour tolerance.

More on Vacuum drying →

Degassing of liquids and polymers

As the pressure is reduced, dissolved gas escapes from liquids and pastes (Busch). Atlas Copco names the degassing of polymers and degassing in synthesis, Edwards names the degassing and curing of oil and epoxy with XDS.

More on Degassing of liquids and polymers →

Vacuum filtration

The pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter and separates solids in synthesis and formulation (Atlas Copco). For filtration and degassing Busch names typical pressures above 1 hPa, Edwards names filtration and dewatering with EDS and liquid ring pumps.

More on Vacuum filtration →

Reactions, polymerisation and crystallisation

Edwards names vacuum for reactions whose yield rises when the equilibrium is shifted, for polymerisation and for bio-based polymers such as PLA, from which residual monomer is removed; Edwards also lists fluorination, hydrogenation, crystallisation and mixing. For the chemical industry Atlas Copco names low pressure for reactions and processes.

More on Reactions, polymerisation and crystallisation →

Freeze drying

Frozen water sublimates under vacuum; for lyophilisation Busch names pressures below 1 hPa and the protection of heat-sensitive products. For freeze drying in the laboratory Pfeiffer Vacuum names a stable pressure without traces of oil and describes the drying of vaccines at 0.5 to 10⁻² hPa.

More on Freeze drying →

Pneumatic conveying

Bulk materials and powders are moved by suction air or compressed air in a closed line (Busch). Elmo Rietschle names the transport of dust, granules and powder in the chemical industry with the C, G and V series, Busch names the gentle conveying of powder and granules.

More on Pneumatic conveying →

Laboratory vacuum and leak detection

Pfeiffer Vacuum names quiet, clean vacuum for mass spectrometry, freeze drying, glove boxes and filtration, individually or centrally, and states about 45 dB for the HiScroll. For helium leak detection Pfeiffer Vacuum names leak rates of about 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s.

More on Laboratory vacuum and leak detection →

Sub-sectors

Chemicals in detail

Separate pages for the areas the manufacturers treat on their own.

Petrochemicals

Vacuum pumps for petrochemicals: pumping flammable substances contamination-free in aromatics extraction, BTX, styrene and MMA. Edwards and Atlas Copco series.

Manufacturers and series

Chemicals: 5 manufacturers, 69 series

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

Product overview

Chemicals: all 751 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 AWC series 9 models

AWC 30Pumping speed 27 m³/h 50 Hz32 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 1.1 kW 50 Hz1.5 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 50Pumping speed 52 m³/h 50 Hz62 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 1.5 kW 50 Hz2.4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 80Pumping speed 80 m³/h 50 Hz96 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz4 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWC 110Pumping speed 110 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3.85 – 4 kW 50 Hz6.3 kW 60 HzVariants 9
AWC 160Pumping speed 165 m³/h 50 Hz185 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz5.5 – 6.3 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 220Pumping speed 230 m³/h 50 Hz265 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 – 8.2 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 290Pumping speed 280 m³/h 50 Hz310 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 – 12.6 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 390Pumping speed 400 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 – 16.5 kW 60 HzVariants 15
AWC 500Pumping speed 500 m³/h 50 Hz535 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 15

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 AWL series 11 models

AWL 4000Pumping speed 4,290 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 160 kW 50 HzVariants

Atlas Copco AWS series 22 models

Atlas Copco DBD series 6 models

Atlas Copco DBDt series 17 models

Atlas Copco DBS series 29 models

Atlas Copco DBSt series 12 models

Atlas Copco DRB series 4 models

Atlas Copco DWS VSD+ series 6 models

Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models

Atlas Copco GLS series 2 models

Atlas Copco GVD series 13 models

Atlas Copco GVS VSD+ series 4 models

Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models

Atlas Copco ZRS series 5 models

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

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

Edwards E2M series 9 models

Edwards E2S series 3 models

Edwards EDS series 3 models

Edwards EH series 5 models

Edwards EOSi series 10 models

Edwards EXS series 11 models

Edwards GV series 2 models

Edwards GXS series 10 models

Edwards IDX series 1 model

Edwards LR1A series 12 models

Edwards LR1C series 9 models

Edwards LR1D series 12 models

Edwards nES Ex series 5 models

Edwards XDS series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle C-KLR series 2 models

Elmo Rietschle C-VLR series 7 models

Elmo Rietschle C-VLU series 4 models

Elmo Rietschle G-BH1 series 25 models

Elmo Rietschle G-BH2 series 9 models

Elmo Rietschle G-BH7 series 15 models

Elmo Rietschle G-BH9 series 1 model

Elmo Rietschle G-BH100 series 1 model

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

Elmo Rietschle S-SVT series 11 models

Elmo Rietschle S-VSI series 1 model

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

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

Pfeiffer Vacuum SmartVane series 2 models

Model comparison

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

Selection

Chemicals: choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Solvents and vapours

In drying and distillation, solvents and water vapour also enter the pump. For slurry drying Busch names R5 RA and COBRA NC/NX, Elmo Rietschle names versions with high water vapour tolerance, Atlas Copco names the GHS VSD+ in the Humid version.

Pressure range

In its product finder, Busch draws the line at 1 hPa: solvent recovery and filtration above it, vacuum distillation and freeze drying below it. For freeze drying Pfeiffer Vacuum names 0.5 to 10⁻² hPa, for short-path distillation Edwards names oil vapour boosters at low operating pressure.

Explosion protection

For the chemical industry Edwards names ATEX versions and, for flammable substances in the petrochemical industry, contamination-free pumping with GXS, EDS and EH; Edwards lists the nES Ex for speciality and fine chemicals. Busch names the DOLPHIN for petroleum refining, also as an ATEX version.

Continuous or batch

Elmo Rietschle names vacuum and compression for continuous and batch processes, Busch names vacuum from raw material transport to distillation. For tray, freeze and rotary drying Atlas Copco names lowering the boiling point for the gentle drying of active ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

Chemicals: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump is suitable for vacuum distillation?

Busch names DOLPHIN, COBRA, R5, HUCKEPACK and PANDA and, as an example system, two PANDA WV booster stages with a DOLPHIN LB for 8 mbar. Edwards names the LR liquid ring pumps and the EH series, and oil vapour boosters for short-path distillation. Pfeiffer Vacuum and Elmo Rietschle name distillation without a series.

How much vacuum does solvent recovery need?

In its product finder, Busch places solvent recovery at pressures above 1 hPa and vacuum distillation below 1 hPa. For crude oil distillation Busch names 10 to 50 hPa, so that the residue is separated without cracking.

Which vacuum pump for drying in the chemical industry?

Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, R5, MINK, PANDA and PUMA, Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and HiLobe, Elmo Rietschle names the S-VSI screw vacuum pumps and versions with high water vapour tolerance. Atlas Copco names DWS VSD+ and AWS, Edwards names screw, claw and liquid ring pumps.

Why does vacuum lower the process temperature?

Under vacuum, liquids boil at a lower temperature. As a result, Edwards names lower energy use, gentler treatment of products and the exclusion of oxygen, Busch names gentle separation in distillation and drying in days instead of weeks.

Which vacuum pump for flammable substances and ATEX areas?

For the petrochemical industry Edwards names contamination-free pumping of flammable substances with GXS, EDS and EH as well as ATEX versions such as the nES Ex. Busch names the DOLPHIN for petroleum refining, also in an ATEX version.

Which vacuum pump for freeze drying?

Busch names COBRA, R5, PANDA, DOLPHIN and MINK and pressures below 1 hPa. Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and HiLobe and describes the freeze drying of vaccines at 0.5 to 10⁻² hPa with a stable pressure without traces of oil.

Which vacuum pump for vacuum filtration?

Atlas Copco names the AWL and AWS liquid ring pumps, Busch names COBRA, R5, DOLPHIN and MINK at typically above 1 hPa, Edwards names EDS and the LR series for filtration and dewatering.

Which vacuum pump for reactors and polymerisation?

For polymerisation Edwards names the LR liquid ring pumps and EDS, and describes that the yield of reactions rises when the equilibrium is shifted and that residual monomer is removed from PLA. For the chemical industry Atlas Copco names low pressure for reactions with GHS VSD+, GVS VSD+ and DWS VSD+.

Which vacuum pump for the chemical laboratory?

Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiScroll, ACP, DuoVane and SmartVane for quiet, clean vacuum, individually or centrally, and states about 45 dB for the HiScroll. For glove boxes Pfeiffer Vacuum names the HiScroll.

Which vacuum pump for transporting powder and granules?

Busch names MINK, R5, DOLPHIN and COBRA for pneumatic conveying in a closed line, Elmo Rietschle names the C, G and V series for dust, granules and powder in the chemical industry.

Does Ehrler & Beck also supply spare parts and service?

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

Which pump suits your process?

Tell us the application, the medium and the number of machines – we advise you on selection, spare parts and service.

Send an enquirySpare parts and accessoriesService