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Trials prove success of dry vacuum pump

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 29, 2002

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.

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.

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.