Industry

Vacuum pumps for power plants and power generation

In a steam power plant the vacuum pump maintains the condenser vacuum: it draws air and non-condensable gases out of the turbine condenser, as Atlas Copco describes. Added to this are the priming of the cooling water pumps and the drying and oil purification of transformers. This page belongs to the energy industry. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks ā€“ 321 models from 3 manufacturers.

Compare 321 modelsSee the applications

  • 321Models
  • 17Series
  • 3Manufacturers
  • 4Applications
Operating principle of a liquid ring vacuum pump ā€“ the technology with the most models on this page. To the technology page

In short

Power generation: vacuum pumps ā€“ the key facts

  • Condenser vacuumAtlas Copco describes how the pump draws air and non-condensable gases out of the turbine condenser and so maintains the condenser vacuum, and names liquid ring vacuum pumps of the AWD series for this.
  • Geothermal energyFor gas extraction in geothermal power plants Busch names DOLPHIN ā€“ for non-condensable gases from the condenser ā€“ and for condenser air extraction COBRA and DOLPHIN.
  • Start-upWhen the condenser water boxes are filled, the vacuum pump vents the water boxes, according to Atlas Copco; the siphon reduces the start-up power of the cooling water pumps. For filling the water pump Busch names DOLPHIN.
  • TransformersFor transformer drying Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe; in oil purification, according to Busch, the oil is dehydrated and degassed in a vacuum chamber.

Applications

Power generation: 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 manufacturersā€™ own pages.

Condenser extraction on steam turbines

The vacuum pump draws air and non-condensable gases out of the turbine condenser and maintains the condenser vacuum; Atlas Copco names liquid ring vacuum pumps of the AWD series for this, and for power generation as a whole AWD, the AW range, AWS/AWS A, LRP VSD+ and DZS VSD+. Busch names COBRA and DOLPHIN for condenser air extraction and DOLPHIN for gas extraction in geothermal power plants, to remove non-condensable gases from the condenser. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists condenser air extraction only for its leak detectors.

More on Condenser extraction on steam turbines ā†’

Priming of cooling water pumps

When the condenser water boxes are filled, the vacuum pump vents the water boxes; according to Atlas Copco, the siphon reduces the start-up power of the cooling water pumps. Atlas Copco names the AW range for this and DZS VSD+ as an alternative, and AWC for priming in general. Busch names DOLPHIN for filling the water pump and for water box priming; Pfeiffer Vacuum lists water box priming only for its leak detectors.

  • Atlas CopcoDZS VSD+ also names the AW range and AWC
  • BuschDOLPHIN
  • Pfeiffer Vacuumnames the application only for its leak detectors

More on Priming of cooling water pumps ā†’

Transformer drying

For drying transformers Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe. Which series fits depends on the size of the transformer and on the amount of vapour produced ā€“ neither is in the manufacturersā€™ data, so we ask you about both.

More on Transformer drying ā†’

Transformer oil purification

In oil purification, according to Busch, the oil is dehydrated and degassed in a vacuum chamber; Busch names COBRA, R5 and HUCKEPACK for this, DOLPHIN as well in the text, and COBRA, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5 for transformer oil purification. Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiLobe.

More on Transformer oil purification ā†’

Manufacturers and series

Power generation: 3 manufacturers, 17 series

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

Product overview

Power generation: all 321 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 AWD series 14 models

AWD 110 SPumping speed 106 mĀ³/h 50 Hz128 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz3.7 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 140 SPumping speed 145 mĀ³/h 50 Hz174 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz5.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 180 SPumping speed 186 mĀ³/h 50 Hz223 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 300 SPumping speed 270 mĀ³/h 50 Hz314 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 350 SPumping speed 342 mĀ³/h 50 Hz411 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 400 SPumping speed 425 mĀ³/h 50 Hz475 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 500 SPumping speed 501 mĀ³/h 50 Hz590 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 600 SPumping speed 616 mĀ³/h 50 Hz739 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 20 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 800 SPumping speed 862 mĀ³/h 50 Hz1,032 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 30 kW 50 Hz37 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1200 SPumping speed 1,252 mĀ³/h 50 Hz1,407 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz45 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1600 SPumping speed 1,589 mĀ³/h 50 Hz1,717 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 45 kW 50 Hz75 kW 60 HzVariants 3
AWD 1960Pumping speed 2,000 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 75 kW 50 HzVariants 3
AWD 3280Pumping speed 3,300 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 110 kW 50 HzVariants 3
AWD 4510Pumping speed 4,500 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 132 kW 50 HzVariants 3

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

Atlas Copco DZS VSD+ series 5 models

Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 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

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 ā€œOutdated modelsā€ section.

Selection

Power generation: choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Liquid ring or dry?

For turbine condensers Atlas Copco names liquid ring vacuum pumps (AWD), and for power generation AWD, the AW range, AWS/AWS A and LRP VSD+; for filling the water boxes Atlas Copco names the DZS VSD+ as an alternative. Besides DOLPHIN, Busch also names COBRA for condenser air extraction.

Non-condensable gases and vapour

At the condenser the task is to remove air and non-condensable gases (Atlas Copco); for geothermal energy Busch explicitly names non-condensable gases from the condenser and DOLPHIN for them. The gas composition is one of the factors that decide the design.

Insulating oil

In oil purification, according to Busch, the oil is dehydrated and degassed in a vacuum chamber; named are COBRA, R5 and HUCKEPACK. For transformer oil purification Pfeiffer Vacuum names DuoVane and HiLobe, for transformer drying HiLobe.

Measuring equipment

Pfeiffer Vacuum lists condenser air extraction and water box priming only for its leak detectors; as pumps for power generation Pfeiffer names A 100/200 L, ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe, HiScroll and SmartVane.

Frequently asked questions

Power generation: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump for the condenser in a power plant?

For extraction from turbine condensers Atlas Copco names liquid ring vacuum pumps of the AWD series, and for power generation AWD, the AW range, AWS/AWS A, LRP VSD+ and DZS VSD+. For condenser air extraction Busch names COBRA and DOLPHIN.

Why does a steam turbine condenser need a vacuum pump?

Because air and non-condensable gases get into the condenser. The vacuum pump draws them off and so maintains the condenser vacuum, as Atlas Copco describes. Busch names the same task for geothermal power plants: removing non-condensable gases from the condenser.

Which vacuum pump for geothermal power plants?

For gas extraction in geothermal energy Busch names DOLPHIN, to remove non-condensable gases from the condenser. For condenser air extraction in general Busch names COBRA and DOLPHIN.

How are cooling water pumps primed in a power plant?

The vacuum pump vents the condenser water boxes; according to Atlas Copco, the siphon reduces the start-up power of the cooling water pumps. Atlas Copco names the AW range for this and DZS VSD+ as an alternative, and AWC for priming in general. Busch names DOLPHIN for filling the water pump and for water box priming.

Which vacuum pump for transformer drying?

For transformer drying Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe.

How is transformer oil purified under vacuum?

According to Busch, the oil is dehydrated and degassed in a vacuum chamber; Busch names COBRA, R5 and HUCKEPACK for this, DOLPHIN as well in the text. For transformer oil purification Busch names COBRA, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum DuoVane and HiLobe.

Liquid ring or dry vacuum pump in a power plant?

For turbine condensers Atlas Copco names liquid ring vacuum pumps of the AWD series; for filling the water boxes Atlas Copco names the AW range and, as an alternative, the DZS VSD+. Busch names COBRA and DOLPHIN for condenser air extraction, DOLPHIN for geothermal energy. Which design fits depends on the gases, the vapour and the mode of operation.

Which series do the manufacturers name for power generation?

Atlas Copco names AWD, the AW range, AWS/AWS A, LRP VSD+ and DZS VSD+; Busch COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5; Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L, ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe, HiScroll and SmartVane.

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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