Industry

Vacuum pumps for the dairy industry

Dairy processing is part of the food and beverage industry – from milking via cheese towers and butter to milk powder. Busch describes how vacuum compacts cheese curd there, draws air out of butter and evaporates milk at a maximum of 72 °C. Edwards names milking and milk transport, Pfeiffer Vacuum butter and cheese production. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks – 327 models from 4 manufacturers.

Compare 327 modelsSee the applications

  • 327Models
  • 16Series
  • 4Manufacturers
  • 7Applications
Operating principle of a liquid ring vacuum pump – the technology with the most models on this page. To the technology page

In short

Dairy: vacuum pumps – the key facts

  • Max. 72 °CFor milk powder, according to Busch, the milk boils under vacuum at a low temperature – at most 72 °C. Busch names DOLPHIN for this, and in its product finder also PANDA/PUMA and R5.
  • Cheese towersIn the cheese tower, the vacuum compacts the cheese curd. Busch names DOLPHIN and MINK with a separator, Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L, A4, ACP and COMBI.
  • MilkingA pulsating vacuum works at the teat cup. Busch names MINK and TYR for this, Edwards nEDC and EDC for milking and milk transport.
  • Packing cheeseHard cheese is vacuum-packed: Busch names R5, COBRA and MINK (MAP), Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe. Milk powder goes into its final packaging under vacuum.

Applications

Dairy: 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.

Cheese towers and vacuum chambers for cheese

In the cheese tower, the vacuum compacts the cheese curd; in vacuum chambers, cheese is cooled, degassed, moulded and drained. For cheese towers, Busch names DOLPHIN and MINK with a separator, for vacuum chambers R5 and MINK, and in its product finder also DOLPHIN. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists A 100/200 L, A4, ACP and COMBI; Atlas Copco names LRP 700–1000 VSD+ for cheese.

More on Cheese towers and vacuum chambers for cheese →

Butter production

In butter production, the air is drawn out of the butter. Busch names DOLPHIN for this, and in its product finder also MINK and R5. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists A 100/200 L, A4, ACP and COMBI for butter production.

Milk powder: evaporation under vacuum

Before drying, the milk is concentrated by evaporation; under vacuum, according to Busch, it boils at a low temperature, at most 72 °C. Busch names DOLPHIN for this, COBRA and R5 for evaporation in general, and in its product finder also PANDA/PUMA and HUCKEPACK.

More on Milk powder: evaporation under vacuum →

Vacuum packaging of cheese and milk powder

Hard cheese is vacuum-packed; Busch names R5, COBRA and MINK (MAP), and in its product finder also PANDA/PUMA. Milk powder goes into its final packaging under vacuum. Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe for the vacuum packaging of cheese and for casings and packaging.

More on Vacuum packaging of cheese and milk powder →

Milking and milk transport

A pulsating vacuum works at the teat cup. Busch names MINK and TYR for this, and in its product finder DOLPHIN, MINK and R5. Edwards lists milking and milk transport for its nEDC and EDC series.

More on Milking and milk transport →

Pneumatic conveying of cheese curd, whey and powder

Cheese curd and whey are transported in sealed lines; Busch names DOLPHIN, MINK and R5 for this. Milk powder is moved by suction or pressure conveying in a closed network (DOLPHIN, PANDA, R5), ice for cooling with MINK and R5. For raw materials and ingredients, Busch names MINK, SAMOS and TYR.

More on Pneumatic conveying of cheese curd, whey and powder →

Pick & place and handling

Grippers load cheese and place slices in packs; butter packs are placed in cartons and trays, and packed milk powder in bags, cans and cartons is gripped and stacked. For the butter products, Busch names claw pumps and side channel blowers, for pick & place in general MINK, SAMOS, SECO and TYR.

  • BuschMINK, TYR also names SAMOS and SECO; for butter products only the technology: claw pumps and side channel blowers

More on Pick & place and handling →

Manufacturers and series

Dairy: 4 manufacturers, 16 series

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

Elmo Rietschle names the industry without naming a series for it.

Product overview

Dairy: all 327 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 LRP VSD+ series 3 models

LRP 700 VSD+Pumping speed 740 m³/h 50 Hz740 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants 10
LRP 900 VSD+Pumping speed 940 m³/h 50 Hz940 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 26 kW 50 Hz26 kW 60 HzVariants 10
LRP 1000 VSD+Pumping speed 1,050 m³/h 50 Hz1,050 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz37 kW 60 HzVariants 10

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
COBRA NX 0450 A ECOTORQUEPumping speed 420 m³/h 50 Hz420 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0500 BPumping speed 490 m³/h 50 Hz490 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 9 kW 50 Hz9 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 C VRPumping speed 580 m³/h 50 Hz680 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 25 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0600 CPumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz18.5 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NS 0600 CPumping speed 600 m³/h 50 Hz600 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 CPumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz17 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0630 C ECOTORQUEPumping speed 630 m³/h 50 Hz630 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.01 mbarRated motor power 17 kW 50 Hz17 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA DX 0650 A PLUSPumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0650 APumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 12.5 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NX 0650 A ECOTORQUEPumping speed 650 m³/h 50 Hz650 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.1 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants

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 EDC series 2 models

Edwards nEDC series 3 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum A4 series 12 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum A 100/200 L series 3 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP series 4 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe series 17 models

Model comparison

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

Selection

Dairy: choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Liquid in the process

For cheese towers, Busch names DOLPHIN and MINK with a separator; cheese curd and whey are conveyed in sealed lines. When liquids are packed, according to Busch, the bags are set at an angle or upright so that nothing boils.

Temperature during evaporation

Milk boils under vacuum at a low temperature, according to Busch at most 72 °C. The vacuum sets the boiling temperature; Busch names DOLPHIN for this, and COBRA and R5 for evaporation.

Vacuum or protective gas

For hard cheese, Busch names R5 and COBRA for vacuum packaging and MINK for MAP; Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe for the vacuum packaging of cheese. Milk powder is filled into its final packaging under vacuum.

Milking and transport

In milking, what counts is the pulsating vacuum at the teat cup (Busch: MINK, TYR; Edwards: nEDC, EDC). For transporting cheese curd, whey, milk powder and ice, Busch names DOLPHIN, MINK, R5, PANDA/PUMA and TYR, depending on the task.

Frequently asked questions

Dairy: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump is suitable for a dairy?

For dairy products, Busch names MINK, TYR, DOLPHIN, R5 and COBRA – from milking via cheese and butter to milk powder. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists A 100/200 L, A4, ACP, COMBI and HiLobe, Edwards nEDC and EDC for milking and milk transport, Atlas Copco LRP 700–1000 VSD+ for cheese. Elmo Rietschle lists the processing of dairy products without a series.

Which vacuum pump for cheese towers?

Busch names DOLPHIN and MINK with a separator; the tower compacts the cheese curd under vacuum. Pfeiffer Vacuum names A 100/200 L, A4, ACP and COMBI. For vacuum chambers in which cheese is cooled, degassed, moulded and drained, Busch names R5 and MINK.

Which vacuum pump for butter production?

The air is drawn out of the butter. Busch names DOLPHIN for this, and in its product finder also MINK and R5; Pfeiffer Vacuum names A 100/200 L, A4, ACP and COMBI. For placing butter packs in cartons and trays, Busch names claw pumps and side channel blowers.

How is milk evaporated under vacuum for milk powder?

Under vacuum, milk boils at a low temperature – according to Busch at most 72 °C. Busch names DOLPHIN for this, in its product finder PANDA/PUMA and R5, and COBRA and R5 for evaporation in general. The finished powder is moved by suction or pressure conveying and packed under vacuum.

Which vacuum pump for milking systems?

A pulsating vacuum works at the teat cup. Busch names MINK and TYR, and in its product finder DOLPHIN, MINK and R5. Edwards names nEDC and EDC for milking and milk transport.

Which vacuum pump for vacuum packaging cheese?

For hard cheese, Busch names R5, COBRA and MINK (MAP), and in its product finder also PANDA/PUMA. Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiLobe for the vacuum packaging of cheese. For chamber machines, Busch lists R5, PANDA/PUMA and COBRA, and for tray sealers HUCKEPACK and MINK in addition.

How are cheese curd and whey conveyed pneumatically?

In sealed lines; Busch names DOLPHIN, MINK and R5 for this. Milk powder is moved in a closed network by suction or pressure conveying (DOLPHIN, PANDA, R5), raw materials and ingredients with MINK, SAMOS and TYR.

What can be done when whey or liquid reaches the vacuum pump?

For cheese towers, Busch explicitly names MINK with a separator, and DOLPHIN alongside it. According to Busch, cheese curd and whey are conveyed in sealed lines, and when liquids are packed, the bags are set at an angle or upright so that nothing boils.

Which vacuum pump for pick & place in a dairy?

Grippers load cheese and place slices in packs; packed milk powder in bags, cans and cartons is gripped and stacked. For pick & place, Busch names MINK, SAMOS, SECO and TYR, for butter products claw pumps and side channel blowers.

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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