Industry

Vacuum pumps for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Vacuum accompanies pharmaceutical production from the transport of raw materials to distillation (Busch): it dries active ingredients gently at a low temperature, freeze-dries vaccines, separates solvents, filters and degasses, conveys powder and evacuates blisters, vials and syringes before sealing. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks – 564 models from 4 manufacturers.

Compare 564 modelsSee the applications

  • 564Models
  • 39Series
  • 4Manufacturers
  • 9Applications
Capsules from pharmaceutical production
Capsules from pharmaceutical production

In short

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: vacuum pumps – the key facts

  • Pressure rangesBusch names pressures typically above 1 hPa for drying, filtration, degassing and solvent recovery, and below 1 hPa for freeze drying and vacuum distillation; as an example for distillation, a system with 8 mbar made up of two PANDA WV booster stages and a DOLPHIN LB.
  • Freeze dryingFor the drying of vaccines, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 0.5–10⁻² hPa; Busch names lyophilisation to protect heat-sensitive products with COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Atlas Copco GVD.
  • Sterile packagingBusch counts more than 3 million R5 in the packaging market and, for sterile packaging, names the pre-evacuation and sealing of blisters, vials and syringes; Atlas Copco names GHS VSD+ for blister packaging and DRB for pharmaceutical packaging.
  • Leak tightness (CCIT)Pfeiffer Vacuum proves the tightness of sterile packaging non-destructively down to −80 °C – with leak rates of ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s for defects ≤0.1 µm and approx. 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s from 0.2 µm.

Applications

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: 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.

Freeze drying (lyophilisation)

Under vacuum, frozen water sublimates; according to Busch, freeze drying thus protects heat-sensitive products and works below 1 hPa. For the drying of vaccines, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 0.5–10⁻² hPa, and for freeze drying in the laboratory a stable pressure without traces of oil with ACP; in its product finder, Pfeiffer Vacuum lists ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll. Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5, Atlas Copco GVD for freeze drying and sterilisation.

More on Freeze drying (lyophilisation) →

Vacuum drying and evaporation

Moisture evaporates under vacuum at a low temperature (Busch); Atlas Copco names the gentle drying of active ingredients in tray, freeze and rotary dryers with GVD, because vacuum lowers the boiling point. For evaporation and drying, which protect active ingredients from oxidation, Busch names pressures typically above 1 hPa and APOVAC, COBRA, DOLPHIN, HUCKEPACK, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5; Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and COMBI, Atlas Copco also DWS VSD+, DRB, ZRS, AWC, AWS and LRP.

More on Vacuum drying and evaporation →

Distillation and solvent recovery

Vacuum lowers boiling points and separates gently (Busch); Atlas Copco names separation at a low temperature and the reuse of solvents with liquid ring vacuum pumps, MVR and ZRS. Busch names above 1 hPa for solvent recovery, below 1 hPa for vacuum distillation, and as an example a system with 8 mbar made up of two PANDA WV booster stages and a DOLPHIN LB; DOLPHIN, COBRA, R5, HUCKEPACK, APOVAC, MINK, PANDA and PUMA are named. Pfeiffer Vacuum lists the application in its product finder without naming a pump series.

More on Distillation and solvent recovery →

Vacuum filtration and degassing

A pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter and separates solids during synthesis and formulation (Atlas Copco: AWC, AWL, AWS, LRP). For filtration and degassing, Busch names pressures typically above 1 hPa and APOVAC, COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK and R5; in degassing, dissolved gas is removed from a liquid or paste by lowering the pressure (MINK, DOLPHIN, COBRA, R5, HUCKEPACK). Pfeiffer Vacuum lists filtration and degassing in its product finder without naming a pump series.

  • BuschCOBRA Industry, DOLPHIN, MINK, R5, HUCKEPACK also names APOVAC
  • Atlas CopcoAWS also names AWC, AWL and LRP
  • Pfeiffer Vacuumlists the application in its product finder without naming a pump series

More on Vacuum filtration and degassing →

Sterile packaging

Blisters, vials and syringes are pre-evacuated and sealed (Busch); without oxygen, germs cannot multiply, and blister packaging protects against moisture and oxygen (Atlas Copco). Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA, R5 and SAMOS, for chamber, rotary table and tray sealer machines R5, PANDA, PUMA, COBRA and HUCKEPACK, and counts more than 3 million R5 in the packaging market. Atlas Copco names GHS VSD+ for blisters and DRB for pharmaceutical packaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe.

More on Sterile packaging →

Leak testing of packaging (CCIT)

Pfeiffer Vacuum describes container closure integrity testing (CCIT) as non-destructive proof of the tightness of sterile packaging, including medical devices, down to −80 °C: leak rates of ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s detect defects ≤0.1 µm, approx. 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s defects from 0.2 µm. The measurement is carried out by the ASM 2000, OES and Mass Extraction leak detectors; as pumps for leak detection, Pfeiffer Vacuum lists ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and HiLobe.

More on Leak testing of packaging (CCIT) →

Pneumatic conveying

Bulk material and powder are moved by suction air or compressed air in a closed line (Busch). For the pharmaceutical industry, Busch names the gentle conveying of powder and granules with MINK, R5, SAMOS and TYR, for wet waste DOLPHIN, HUCKEPACK, MINK, R5 and TYR, and for chemicals and pharmaceuticals COBRA, R5, DOLPHIN and MINK.

More on Pneumatic conveying →

Laboratory vacuum and quality assurance

In pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Pfeiffer Vacuum sees its focus in the laboratory and in quality assurance, and names quiet, clean vacuum for mass spectrometers, freeze drying, glove boxes and filtration – individually or centrally – with HiScroll (approx. 45 dB), ACP, DuoVane and SmartVane; for glove boxes and air-sensitive work, HiScroll.

More on Laboratory vacuum and quality assurance →

Cosmetics and personal care

Atlas Copco lists the cosmetics industry among the fields of application of its AWS series liquid ring vacuum pumps; in medical technology, Becker names suction during skin treatment (endermology) in cosmetics.

  • Atlas CopcoAWS cosmetics listed as a field of application of the AWS series
  • Beckersuction during skin treatment (endermology), listed only

Manufacturers and series

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: 4 manufacturers, 39 series

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

Becker names the industry without naming a series for it.

Product overview

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: all 564 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 AWL series 11 models

AWL 4000Pumping speed 4,290 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 160 kW 50 HzVariants
AWL 5500Pumping speed 5,580 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 185 kW 50 HzVariants
AWL 7000Pumping speed 6,900 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 185 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 9500Pumping speed 9,200 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 200 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 12500Pumping speed 12,500 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 280 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 15000Pumping speed 15,000 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 315 kW 50 HzVariants 9
AWL 17500Pumping speed 17,400 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 400 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 21500Pumping speed 21,300 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 450 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWL 26000Pumping speed 25,800 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 560 kW 50 HzVariants 6
AWL 30000Pumping speed 30,000 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 630 kW 50 HzVariants 4
AWL 37500Pumping speed 36,600 m³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 800 kW 50 HzVariants

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

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 DVS series 10 models

Atlas Copco DWS series 3 models

Atlas Copco DWS VSD+ series 6 models

Atlas Copco DZS series 8 models

Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models

Atlas Copco GLS series 2 models

Atlas Copco GVD series 13 models

Atlas Copco GVS series 9 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 EDS series 3 models

Edwards EH series 5 models

Edwards GXS series 10 models

Edwards nES Ex series 5 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

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: choosing a vacuum pump

What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.

Pressure per process

Busch arranges the processes by pressure: drying, filtration, degassing and solvent recovery typically above 1 hPa, freeze drying and vacuum distillation below 1 hPa; as a distillation example, Busch names 8 mbar with two booster stages. For the freeze drying of vaccines, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 0.5–10⁻² hPa.

Solvents and explosion protection

Solvent vapours place demands on the pump: for the pharmaceutical industry, Edwards names CXS, EDS, CDX, EDP, nES Ex, EH and GXS for bulk, intermediates and active ingredients, and refers to its first dry pump for pharmaceuticals in 1988; Busch also names DOLPHIN in an ATEX version.

Oil-free or oil-lubricated?

For freeze drying in the laboratory, Pfeiffer Vacuum names a stable pressure without traces of oil and lists scroll, diaphragm, multi-stage Roots and rotary vane pumps for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology; Becker names pharmaceutical production for its rotary vane vacuum pumps. Which design fits depends on whether oil interferes with the process.

Sterile filling and packaging

Pfeiffer Vacuum names sterile filling and closing, Busch the pre-evacuation and sealing of blisters, vials and syringes; Pfeiffer Vacuum proves the tightness of the packaging non-destructively by CCIT.

Frequently asked questions

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps

Which vacuum pump is suitable for freeze drying (lyophilisation)?

Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5 for lyophilisation, which protects heat-sensitive products. Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll and, for freeze drying in the laboratory, a stable pressure without traces of oil; Atlas Copco names GVD for freeze drying and sterilisation.

How much vacuum does freeze drying need?

For freeze drying and vacuum distillation, Busch names below 1 hPa. For the drying of vaccines as well as coffee and fruit, Pfeiffer Vacuum states 0.5–10⁻² hPa.

Which vacuum pump for the vacuum drying of active ingredients?

For evaporation and drying, which protect active ingredients from oxidation, Busch names pressures typically above 1 hPa and APOVAC, COBRA, DOLPHIN, HUCKEPACK, MINK, PANDA, PUMA and R5. Atlas Copco names GVD for tray, freeze and rotary drying, because vacuum lowers the boiling point; Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and COMBI.

Which vacuum pump for vacuum distillation and solvent recovery?

Busch names DOLPHIN, COBRA, R5, HUCKEPACK, APOVAC, MINK, PANDA and PUMA – solvent recovery above 1 hPa, vacuum distillation below 1 hPa, and as an example a system with 8 mbar made up of two PANDA WV booster stages and a DOLPHIN LB. Atlas Copco names liquid ring vacuum pumps, MVR and ZRS for separation at a low temperature and the reuse of solvents.

Which pump is suitable for vacuum filtration?

For filtration and degassing, Busch names pressures typically above 1 hPa and APOVAC, COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK and R5. Atlas Copco names the AWC, AWL, AWS and LRP liquid ring vacuum pumps; the pressure difference drives the liquid through the filter.

Which vacuum pump for the sterile packaging of medicines?

Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, PANDA, PUMA, R5 and SAMOS for pre-evacuating and sealing blisters, vials and syringes, and counts more than 3 million R5 in the packaging market. Atlas Copco names GHS VSD+ for blister packaging and DRB for pharmaceutical packaging, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe.

How is the tightness of vials, syringes and blisters tested (CCIT)?

Pfeiffer Vacuum describes container closure integrity testing as non-destructive proof of the tightness of sterile packaging down to −80 °C, with leak rates of ≤10⁻⁹ mbar·l/s for defects ≤0.1 µm and approx. 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s from 0.2 µm. The measurement is carried out by the ASM 2000, OES and Mass Extraction leak detectors; as pumps, Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiScroll and HiLobe.

Which pump for the pneumatic conveying of powders in pharmaceutical production?

For the gentle conveying of powder and granules, Busch names MINK, R5, SAMOS and TYR, for wet waste DOLPHIN, HUCKEPACK, MINK, R5 and TYR, and for chemicals and pharmaceuticals COBRA, R5, DOLPHIN and MINK. The bulk material moves by suction air or compressed air in a closed line.

Which vacuum pump for the pharmaceutical laboratory?

Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiScroll (approx. 45 dB), ACP, DuoVane and SmartVane for mass spectrometers, freeze drying, glove boxes and filtration, and in pharmaceuticals sees its focus in the laboratory and in quality assurance.

Which vacuum pump for degassing liquids and pastes?

In degassing, dissolved gas is removed from a liquid or paste by lowering the pressure; Busch names MINK, DOLPHIN, COBRA, R5 and HUCKEPACK for this and, for filtration and degassing, pressures typically above 1 hPa. For the degassing of mineral water, Busch names DOLPHIN and MINK.

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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