Applications

There are various applications that utilize vacuum pumps to improve environment. Aeration is one very necessary function in many environmental applications.

For example, vacuum pumps can be used in the following processes:

• Compression of gases
• Collection of materials
• Aeration

Wastewater Disposal

The suction pressure necessary for removing wastewater and cleaning sewer networks is provided by vacuum pumps. The contaminants in the wastewater are sucked in and can be flushed out periodically by means of pumps.

Digester Gas Compression

Liquid ring pumps draw the digester gas off the top of the digester and recirculate it to improve mixing and rate of reaction. The pump's operating liquid cools the digester gas by absorbing the heat of compression, thus providing an almost isothermal mode of operation. This has a positive effect on the service life of downstream valves, gas burners and motors, and it reduces maintenance costs. The cooling function of the operating liquid simultaneously acts as a flame arrester and reduces expenditures for explosion protection. The contaminated raw gas is also cleaned in the water ring as though in a gas scrubber and is partially dried. The gas is thus oxygenated and returned to the wastewater treatment process.

Vacuum Priming

Wastewater can be reliably collected, conveyed and disposed of for entire residential areas utilizing liquid ring pumps as part of a vacuum priming system. With high vacuum capability, wastewater is easily transported, even uphill.

Biogas Production

The biomass produced in activated sludge tanks and clarifying tanks is stabilized in the digestion tower and used to produce biogas. A thorough mixing of the sludge increases the gas yields and reduces its retention time in the reactor. In the process, the gas is withdrawn from the upper part of the digestion tower, compressed in the compressor and reintroduced through the nozzles at the bottom.

Wastewater Purification/Oxygenation of Activated Sludge Tanks

To reduce the space requirements and costs of wastewater treatment plants, a growing number of activated sludge tanks are being set up. The introduction of oxygen is extremely important for purifying wastewater. Compressors from our supply the compression pressure required for maximum oxygen yield. For small, decentralized or mobile plants, the gas ring blowers are the most cost-effective solution.

Fish and Prawn Pond Aeration

Blowing air into commercial fish ponds greatly improves the quality of life for the fish. The water's oxygen content can be substantially increased using gas ring blowers or liquid ring pumps, which in turn increases the number of fish that can be kept in a pond twofold or even threefold. Heat generated by the blower or pump also aids in pond temperature control. In this process, air is drawn from the atmosphere and forced through an inlet into the tube aerator. It is then diffused into the water through tiny openings and rises in fine bubbles. The oxygen in the water causes the fish to grow and multiply more rapidly and significantly increases the yield.

In facilities management, two applications that utilize our products are drying and the extraction of oxygen.

Another important application is the use of vacuum pumps in central vacuum systems. The vacuum pump is used in the system to keep the workplace free of dust and other particulate matter, which could cause a building to be diagnosed as a sick building.

Drying of Flooring

The curing of concrete slab flooring requires large quantities of water. Therefore, floor coverings and wallpaper cannot be installed until the building materials have dried sufficiently. Although it was once common practice to let a house "dry out", time constraints have made this natural method impractical. The drying process is much faster and more efficient when dehumidifiers are used, and the installation of condensate dryers quickly pays for itself.

To dry the flooring, two inch (50 mm) holes are drilled into the insulation layer. A gas ring blower introduces dry air into the damp insulating area via a hose system. This dry air picks up the moisture and the pressure created causes the humidified air to flow out at the flooring edges or via the appropriate relief holes. Condensate or absorption dryers are set up in the room to take in moist air and to dry it out.

Corrosion Protection for Water Lines

In high rises and large buildings, the water lines inside the building must be protected against corrosion. This can be done using a membrane procedure that takes advantage of the fact that deoxygenated water corrodes metal much less than untreated water.

The water flows through an oxygen-permeable membrane that is enclosed in a vacuum. The vacuum then diffuses the oxygen through the membrane, thereby removing it from the water. The liquid ring pump that generates this vacuum also bleeds off the oxygen/air mixture created by the diffusion process.

Central Vacuum Cleaner Systems

As anyone with allergies knows, traditional vacuum cleaners are better at stirring up the dirt than they are at vacuuming it, nor do they provide any real filtering.

A central vacuum cleaner system - one in which the vacuum unit and filter are installed in the building's basement and every room has an opening for attaching the vacuum hose located next to an electrical outlet - can efficiently and quietly vacuum up dust and allergenic substances via piping.

Many processes in the food and beverage industry can be optimized by the use of vacuum technology.

vacuum pumps are used to lift and hold objects, and then release the object - a process that can be found in all modern finishing facilities.

In addition, vacuum pumps are used to remove air during food packaging. This extends the shelf life of the food, and also eliminates odors.

Milking Systems

Milking cows by machine has become a standard procedure. The vacuum required to do the job can vary greatly depending on the number of cows to be milked. The entire milking procedure must be completed within two hours. In addition to transporting the milk, the vacuum used in these milking systems performs other tasks as well, such as attaching onto the udder and holding the weight of the milking claw assembly to the teat.

Bottle Filling Machines in Breweries

When beer is bottled, its residual oxygen content of 0.1 mg/l must be kept as low as possible and no more than 0.03 mg/l of oxygen may be absorbed. To this end, breweries employ two different methods, either singly or in combination:

Bottles are flushed with CO2 and filled with beer via a long-tube filler. In this case, the filler tube is inserted into the bottle and the bottle is flushed with carbon dioxide before actually being filled with beer. This method consumes a relatively large amount of CO2.

Bottles are evacuated and then flushed with CO2. This method greatly reduces carbon dioxide consumption because most of the oxygen is already extracted.

By reducing seal liquid consumption, the systems offer clear advantages over other liquid ring pumps. Annual running costs can be reduced by up to $30,000, depending on the pump model.

Systems for Cleaning Fish and Mollusks

Before any further processing can take place, fish and mollusks must be gutted and cleaned. Worktables are outfitted with suitable vacuum nozzles that extract the entrails from the fish. A central vacuum system then pipes the combination of liquid and coarse particles through a filter where they are separated for proper disposal.

Because such systems are often accommodated directly in supermarkets and large shopping centers, the pumps used must run quietly and require relatively little time and effort to install.

Salmon Cleaning Machines

The food industry employs processes similar to those described above to automatically extract the entrails from salmon. Operating at a rate of only 3 seconds per fish, the quantity of material to be processed is enormous. The resulting waste products consisting of saltwater, fats, proteins and fish remains are extracted by means of a gas ringblower located beside the salmon cleaning machine.

For food industry applications such as these, we also offer specially designed gas ring blowers with painted housing interiors, valves equipped with Nirosta springs and other special features.

Poultry Processing

Even the weighing and portioning of foods produces waste products that must be disposed of quickly and automatically. A weigh station for chicken breast fillets in which individual portions are transported by belt weighers and sorted into weight groups produces liquid waste as well as fat and small fibers. A vacuum pump extracts this waste and passes it on for proper disposal.

Chocolate Production

During the production of chocolate eggs, vacuum is used in several production sections to hold the eggs in place and/or lift them up. The vacuum system is installed in a separate room and suck the air-conditioned air from the production line. The vacuum at the machine is maintained at a constant pressure of 300 mbar abs.

For production facilities operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a high degree of reliability is absolutely essential, while maintenance requirements must also be kept to a minimum.

Dairy Processing

On a yogurt filling machine, the vacuum pump serves to position the lids on five pre-filled yogurt containers simultaneously. Suction cups on the machine grip the lids, separate them and move them into the correct positions.

Liquid ring vacuum pumps operate without oil and, because they have their own closed water circuit, they don't need to be connected to the water supply. In addition to low noise emission, these vacuum systems require very little maintenance.

Deaeration of Mineral Water

Mineral water from natural springs contains carbonic acid, minerals and iron. The iron dissolved in the water oxidizes when it comes into contact with the air, giving the water an unpleasant taste. The water needs to be deferrized at a pressure of about 50 mbar, but first a vacuum pump is required to remove the carbonation and then reintroduce it to produce sparkling water.

Deodorizing of Salad Oils and Fats

Prolonged exposure to air gives salad oils and fats an unpleasant odor and flavor. Before they can be processed further, these oxidation products must be removed. This is accomplished by injecting steam, which absorbs the odor and flavor particles created, and then extracting the steam with a vacuum.

Sterilization of Tea and Spices

Tea and spices imported from tropical regions are shipped in bales, which very often contain pests, insects, fungi and bacteria that must be destroyed before further processing can occur. This is done by placing the bales in vacuum containers and extracting the air. The bales are then injected with steam or a sterilized gas.

Sausage Production

To produce sausage, a meat mixture is chopped into small pieces and mixed with spices and other additives. Extracting air during the chopping and mixing processes can help prevent the mixture from oxidizing, which would have a negative effect on the sausage's flavor and appearance. The air is evacuated by means of a vacuum of about 100 mbar. The pump used must be insensitive to the meat particles and liquids that are also extracted.

Ham Production

Today, you will rarely find ham that has been dried and smoked in a genuine fireplace. Instead, ham is soaked in a curing solution, which penetrates the meat more quickly and directly after the air is extracted from the pores.

Humidification of Tobacco

Tobacco packed in bales is so brittle that without proper humidification, it would crumble into dust when processed further. A vacuum pump extracts the air from the bales and replaces it with steam, sometimes supplemented with aromatic substances.

Condenser Exhausting

Condenser exhausting involves the removal of air and other non-condensable gases from the steam space of power plant condensers. The purpose of removing these gases is to maintain the lowest possible turbine backpressure. This equipment is crucial onboard commercial ships.

Central Vacuum Priming

In this application, vacuum pumps are used to maintain a prime in bilge and transfer pump systems. Maintaining a prime allows onboard bilge pumps to maintain quick efficient start up. When several different services, for example, wash water and bilge water, are to be primed by the same vacuum system, each has its own priming valve. This prevents cross contamination.

Low Pressure Ship Service Air Compressor

The low-pressure ship service air compressor is a reliable, oil-free, low-pressure instrument which supplies deck air wherever required. This same type of system can supply oil-free breathing air where person must work wearing protective clothing.

Turbine Gland Exhausting

Steam turbines employ a gland to seal the shaft against inward air leakage. These glands are sealed with steam. In order for them to function as designed, excess steam and condensate must continuously be removed.

Condenser Initial Evacuation (hogging)

In order to start a thermal power plant, a condenser must be brought from atmospheric pressure to vacuum. In some systems, requirements preclude the use of the condenser exhauster to perform this job. In these cases, a separate vacuum device is used.