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VARIABLE SPEED VACUUM PUMPS

A variable speed vacuum pump adjusts its rotational speed to maintain a constant pressure level. Energy savings of up to 50% can be achieved.

Our solutions

  • r5_0630_c_vsd
    Integrated VSD

    VSD enables the pumping speed of a vacuum pump to be adapted exactly to the actual requirements of your process. The result: significant energy savings.

    Learn more
  • r_5_ra_0630_c_vfdretrofitkit_2
    Retrofit Kits

    Busch offers a wide range of vacuum pumps with integrated VSD. With our Retrofit Kits you can easily upgrade your existing vacuum pumps.

    Learn more
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HOW A VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE IMPROVES YOUR PROCESS

In most processes, the vacuum demand varies over time. In such applications, a vacuum pump operating at a fixed speed provides the maximum pumping speed required but will continue to provide the same pumping speed when the demand decreases.

A variable speed vacuum pump adjusts its rotational speed to maintain a constant pressure level. When vacuum demand decreases, this results in reduced speed and optimized energy consumption. So why pay for a pump to operate all the time, why not just pay for it when you need to use it? This is the right way. The Busch way.

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ADVANTAGES OF A VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE

Cost reduction

  • Up to 50% energy savings
  • Less maintenance and longer lifetime

Easy installation

  • No control cabinet needed
  • 380V – 460V, 50-60 Hz with a single drive
  • Retrofit kits available

Efficient and economical

  • Reduced CO2 footprint
  • Productivity increase: + 20% pumping speed at 60 Hz

HOW TO SAVE MONEY WITH VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE

Setup of examplary calculation

  • Product: Central vacuum system with one R5 RA 1000 B
  • Production time: 12 h/day (10 h/day production, 2 h/day breaks), 250 days/year
  • Electricity costs: 0.15 €/kWh

Comparing a conventional R5 RA 1000 B with a R5 RA 1000 B with VSD

 CONVENTIONAL R5 RA 1000 B (CONSTANT SPEED 60 HZ)R5 RA 1000 B VSD (VARIABLE SPEED 25-60 HZ)
Average absorbed power during production22.3 kW13.2 kW
Average absorbed power during breaks12.5 kW5.4 kW
Daily power consumption248.0 kWh/day142.5 kWh/day
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05.5 kWh corresponds to 42 kg CO2 per day.

42 kg CO2 x 250 production days/year

= 10,500 KG CO2 /YEAR

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A tree absorbs approximately 10 kg CO2/year

10,500 kg CO2/year / 10 kg/tree

= 1,050 TREES

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This means, you would have to plant 1,050 trees to absorb the amount of CO2 which you have saved thanks to VSD.

FAQ

What is a variable speed drive?

A variable speed drive (VSD) is a digital controller that regulates the rotational speed of a motor. It enables the pumping speed of a vacuum pump to be adapted exactly to the actual requirements of your process.

Is it also possible to retrofit existing vacuum pumps?

Busch offers a wide range of vacuum pumps with integrated VSD. However, with our Retrofit Kits you can easily upgrade your existing vacuum pumps.

How does the variable speed drive work?

Vacuum demand often varies within production processes. Ideally, the vacuum supply should be synchronized with demand. With a variable speed drive, vacuum pumps can be automatically adjusted to match variations in vacuum demand precisely. Reacting to fluctuations in demand makes considerable energy savings possible.

What are the different operating modes?

In scenarios with changing process parameters, we recommend vacuum pumps that can be controlled on a demand-driven basis and that either guarantee a consistent pumping speed or constantly maintain the required vacuum level.

Speed control

For processes with constant vacuum demand, it is recommended to leave the vacuum pump running at constant speed.

Pressure control

For processes with changing vacuum demand over time, the pressure control mode is the ideal choice. In this case, the vacuum pump adjusts the rotational speed according to the required vacuum level. Once this vacuum level has been achieved, the vacuum pump continues to run at minimum speed, enabling it to respond to a sudden need for increased vacuum demand and leading to further energy savings.

What is the difference between a variable speed drive (VSD) and a variable frequency drive (VFD) vacuum pump?

There is practically none. They are just two terms for the same thing. VSD is understood from the result, the different rotational speeds of the vacuum pump, VFD on the other hand stands for the cause of the different speeds, namely the variable frequency.