Vacuum technology for processing and packing
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Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump R 5 0100 F
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Vacuum technology is one of the key technologies for modern meat processing and has great influence on the quality and shelf life of the product. This is why the vacuum pumps used in these processes must meet a high quality standard.
Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH has been manufacturing vacuum pumps for meat processing for over 40 years and has a great deal of knowledge and experience in this field. R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps from Busch have proven their worth for decades. These are being continuously further developed and optimised in the company’s own research and trials departments. New experience gained in the field is always fed into this development work. Today Busch has 20 different model sizes of R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps in its product range, which in turn are all available in various versions according to customer requirements. The installation sizes of the vacuum pumps, in terms of volume flow rate, range between 3 and 1600 cubic meters per hour. This means that all types of vacuum packaging machines and meat processing machines can be fitted with Busch vacuum pumps:
Packaging machines:
- Table top units
- Floor-mounted appliance
- Double chamber machines
- Tray sealer
- Belt machines
- Roller automats/deep drawing machines
- Rotary fillers
Meat and sausage processing machines:
- Tumbler/ mixer
- Sausage filler
- Cutter
The larger rotary vane vacuum pumps are also suitable for installation in central vacuum systems, such as those Busch offers for production facilities which operate with a number of packing lines. Centralisation of the vacuum supply offers an extremely economic alternative to individual vacuum pumps installed directly on or in the machine.
There is one thing which all R 5 vacuum pumps have in common: they are oil lubricated and operate according to the tried and tested rotary vane principle.
The seal fluid oil performs a number of important functions in this case. The first is that it seals the gap in the compression chamber which guarantees a high vacuum and secondly it lubricates the sliding surfaces and thus prevents wear. The oil also leads away heat produced in the compression chamber or ensures that there is an even operating temperature within the vacuum pump, which in turn ensures that much more water vapour can be transported through the pump. The seal fluid is a very important component of the vacuum pump, due to the multiple functions it fulfils, which guarantees reliability of operation and a long working life.
Busch vacuum pumps can tolerate the presence of water vapour extremely well which is a very important quality for fresh meat processing and packaging. For example, during vacuum packing, the vacuum pump sucks the air out of the packing chamber and thus drastically reduces the residual oxygen trapped in the packaging. Moisture in and on the meat evaporates under these conditions and is sucked out as water vapour. R 5 vacuum pumps are designed in such a way that they can convey large amounts of water vapour through the pump which is expelled together with the air.
Busch has a dense service network throughout the world. In Germany, Busch is represented by 14 branches, satellite stations and service centres to guarantee short and rapid access to customers. A broad range of services allow meat and sausage processing plants to decide on an individual service package tailored to their needs. Maintenance costs can be spared in this way, but the availability and reliability of operation of the vacuum pumps is also increased.
Busch Dienste GmbH
Marketing/Marketing Services
Uli Merkle • July 8, 2005
Handbook for pneumatic conveying in hazardous zonesDr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH has published a compendium about pneumatic conveying in areas susceptible to dust explosion. The manufacturer of vacuum pumps for pneumatic conveying discusses potential sources of danger clearly explaining the responsibilities of the component manufacturers and system operators with respect to practical application and the ATEX 94/9 EG and 99/92/EG directives.
The work extensively deals with the subject of "Explosion", discussing which conditions are conducive to explosion and how they can be avoided. In addition, the book explains the meaning and benefits of the zones and their divisions. Finally, the author speaks about the preventative features of the Mink dry rotary-type vacuum pumps, which are certified for use in areas susceptible to dust explosion and, depending on the model, can be used in various zones.
This handbook is available free of charge in both the English and German languages at info@busch.de.
The ATEX-compliant vacuum pumps can be seen at:
Powtech, Nuremberg, Hall 10, Booth 210
Fakuma, Friedrichshafen Germany, Hall A6, Booth 6112
Busch Dienste GmbH
Marketing/Marketing Services
Uli Merkle • July 8, 2005
New screw vacuum pumps for zones 1 and 0A new generation of screw vacuum pumps has been introduced to the market by the Dr.- Ing. K. Busch GmbH company – the COBRA NC is designed as a process pump for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. As well as the version for areas not potentially explosive, it is also available as the standard machine for zone 1 and zone 0.
With this new series of vacuum pumps, Busch have succeeded in implementing and standardising health and safety requirements in a simple and consistent way.
The result is dry running screw vacuum pumps in sizes of 100, 200 and 300 m3/h for zone 1 (Ex II 2G IIB T3 and T4 (i/o)) and zone 0 (Ex IIG1(i)/2(o) IIB3(i)/IIB(o) T3 and T4). With the existing ATEX certification, 98 percent of all substances can be pumped with this vacuum pump.
The simple modular construction of the COBRA NC and the carefully thought out safety package makes it possible to use the vacuum pump with a minimum of monitoring devices. In the zone 1 model, flame barriers are not needed. COBRA NC vacuum pumps are fitted with vibration detection as standard. This provides continuous monitoring of the state of the vacuum pump, thus guaranteeing high safety and availability of the vacuum pump.
The modular and simple construction also makes possible simple maintenance which can be carried out by the user. Modifying a model from zone 1 to zone 0 can also be done easily.
COBRA NC vacuum pumps achieve a final pressure of 0.05 mbar. This has the advantage that maximum suction capacity is achieved at an actual working pressure in the range of 1 to 100 mbar. From a technical point of view, the COBRA NC has decisive advantages compared to other screw vacuum pumps. The screw rotors, made of a single piece, have variable pitch. This allows optimal compression with homogenous temperature progression, thus avoiding condensation in the compression chamber. Interior cooling of the screws is not needed. Compression is not done against an end plate, thus allowing continuous outflow of fluids and an easy discharge of solid matter.
The screw rotors are sealed with floating ring seals lubricated with oil. These are easy to maintain or exchange, guaranteeing a long service life. Floating ring seals are extremely robust and resistant to chemicals.
COBRA NC vacuum pumps are fitted as standard with a water closed-circuit cooling system. This means that the pump operator is not dependent on water or waste water connections, or water quality. A circulating pump with a magnetic clutch provides optimal distribution of cooling water, resulting in steady temperature performance and low susceptibility to corrosion.
The drive for the vacuum pump is a flange-mounted standard electric motor, with the result that the drive and the process medium are kept apart, and fluids cannot get into the motor. Synchronisation of the screw rotors is achieved by spur gears in a separate gear housing.
Busch has been manufacturing screw vacuum pumps in its own production plant in Switzerland since 1993.
The skills developed there in manufacturing technology, and the experience gained in many applications of screw technology, even outside the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, have made Busch into one of the largest manufacturers of screw vacuum pumps in the world.
In addition to the COBRA NC screw vacuum pumps described here, Busch also offers a large range of ATEX-conformant vacuum pumps for just about any application.
Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH
Marketing/Marketing Services
Uli Merkle • March 11, 2005
