Product category:
OEM Pumps
News Release from: Edwards | Subject: XDS-C
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 29 July 2002
Trials prove success of dry vacuum pump
The Bachem Group has improved its peptide hydrolysis process dramatically by installing an XDS-C dry vacuum pump from BOC Edwards.
The Bachem Group has improved its peptide hydrolysis process dramatically by installing an XDS-C dry vacuum pump from BOC Edwards Using the very latest in dry-pump technology, the XDS-C has cut costs for Bachem significantly by eliminating the need for time intensive and costly maintenance procedures
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 16 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Dry-vacuum pump system for use in Zone 0 areas
BOC Edwards' new dry-vacuum pump system for use in areas classified as Zone 0 maintains maximum pumping speed even in continuously flammable atmospheres
Dry vacuum pumps at Italian centre for oncology
Italian pharmaceutical company Phamacia has installed six BOC Edwards dry vacuum pumps equipped with flame arrestors, explosion-proof instruments and local control cabinets
It has also reduced vacuum process time by at least 50%.
The XDS-C, installed at Bachem's Merseyside plant, UK, is used in the removal of hydrochloric acid and moisture following peptide hydrolysis an important stage in the amino acid analysis of manufactured peptides.
Trials of XDS-C were undertaken at Bachem for three months, as this type of pump is new to chemical applications.
Further reading
New high capacity mechanical booster vacuum pumps
The new HV series of high capacity mechanical booster vacuum pumps from BOC Edwards features oil-free operation and water-cooled bearings for long term reliability with minimal maintenance.
Dry-vacuum pump for vacuum induction melting
A new dry-vacuum pumping system for use in vacuum induction melting will help manufacturers optimise furnace running times by considerably reducing the need for maintenance and consumables
Previously Bachem was using an oil-sealed vacuum pump which interrupted the process.
Neil Thompson, Assistant Production Manager for Bachem explains: "Using the oil-sealed pump disrupted the process as we had to change the oil every couple of weeks because it would often get contaminated with vapours.
Sometimes the pump was out of action for several days because of time consuming maintenance procedures".
Bachem made every attempt to ensure the oil-sealed vacuum pump operated efficiently by implementing dry-ice traps, which captured vapours from peptide hydrolysates whilst under vacuum.
Thompson explains: "This process helped to maintain the smooth operation of the oil-sealed pump, but was very time intensive because dry-ice had to be added to the traps at regular intervals, as often as ten times per day.
The new XDS-C pump has eliminated the need for dry-ice traps entirely".
Since the installation of the new pump, Bachem has experienced a number of significant improvements: "The process is much cleaner than when we used the oil-sealed pump.
The XDS-C bearing shield ensures that no bearings, grease or oil are under vacuum, making the pump virtually maintenance free.
The XDS-C is also much faster than the oil-sealed pump", said Thompson.
Once Bachem had completed the three month trial the pump was inspected and was found to be very clean inside.
When reassembled 0.9mbar was achieved immediately.
Thompson said: "The XDS-C was in excellent condition close to factory standard".
The XDS-C has a service requirement of just 10 minutes every one or two years.
With no need for an oil change, the XDS is an environmentally friendly choice.
When using an oil-sealed pump Bachem had to dispose of unwanted oil via its local authority waste disposal unit every other month.
The XDS-C is a chemically resistant version of BOC Edwards XDS pump and is designed for wet chemistry applications.
It has an ultimate vacuum of 0.9mbar with low noise levels (55dB(A) at ultimate vacuum) and low vibration (less than 1.5mm/s).
The XDS-C has a compact footprint of just 315 or 297 x 249mm, making it ideal for laboratory applications.
Controllable gas ballast is provided as standard ensuring suitability for pumping condensable vapours with a capacity of more than 200g/h water vapour.
• Edwards: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
