Dry Pump Technology Improves Energy Efficiency and Lowers Costs for Pharma Company

Edwards Group’s XDS dry scroll vacuum pumps have helped a large pharmaceutical company significantly reduce downtime, as well as maintenance and servicing costs, and increase operational efficiencies.

With more than 400 vacuum pumps at its research and development centre on the East Coast of the US, the company was looking for a simple and reliable vacuum pumping solution that would enable it to reduce maintenance requirements.

The company was previously using rotary vane pumps in its laboratory freeze dryers, but as oil-sealed pumps they needed regular oil changes.  The company also had prior experience of using an Edwards XDS dry vacuum pump on a laboratory freeze dryer and was impressed by its reliability and performance.

Edwards worked closely to understand the requirements from the pump and recommended its XDS35i dry scroll vacuum pumps. The XDS range incorporates a dry pumping scroll mechanism that provides a robust and clean pumping solution for scientific applications.

Dry pumps have no lubricants under vacuum, eliminating the need for regular oil changes, therefore reducing maintenance and environmental impact. It also means there is no possibility of process contamination, an important benefit in high-cost pharmaceutical applications.

Alternative pumping technology was also reviewed, but Edwards’ XDS pump performance and maintenance requirements proved to be superior. Annual repairs, labour and maintenance for Edwards’ XDS10 and XDS35i dry pumps are on average three times less than that for oil-sealed pumps.

As a result of installing the XDS dry vacuum pumps in its freeze dryers, significant savings to maintenance costs, a reduction in downtime and a more efficient process have all been achieved. The pump’s water vapour capability has improved drying time on laboratory freeze dryers by 50% and there has also been a significant reduction of noise and heat in their laboratories.

“We are delighted with the opportunity of being able to help our client benefit from the operational and environmental advantages of dry pump technology,” said Bob Campbell, Industrial and Process Market Sector Manager - Americas, Edwards. “The patented XDS design means the bearings are isolated from the vacuum so no bearings, bearing purges, grease or oil are under vacuum. As a result, the pump is virtually maintenance free and provides the perfect solution for ‘plug and play’ vacuum pumping in scientific applications.”  

Edwards Group Ltd, +44 1293 528844, uksales@edwardsvacuum.com, www.edwardsvacuum.com.