Pneumofore rotary vane vacuum pumps are increasingly installed worldwide to operate Vapour Recovery Units (VRU). As an established solution for reliable vacuum supply in other industries, Pneumofore pumps also prove to be the most cost-effective where long-term operating costs are considered important.
The result of an exclusive R&D collaboration with a major global firm in the field of vapour recovery, Pneumofore supplies a special version of its UV Series Vacuum Pump as Ex-Proof certified, according to ATEX, with Ex II 2 G c T3 marking.
In the research leading to this special version, it was seen that previously used pumps were inadequate due to insufficient capacity, excessive maintenance costs (filter cartridges, oil and manpower), and inferior efficiency. Various pump systems were tested, including liquid ring, rotary screw, and finally rotary vane. All were analysed in terms of durability, service frequency and total life cycle cost. The results showed that liquid ring pumps consumed almost twice as much electrical power consumption as other systems, and screw pumps produced important repair and overhauling costs after a comparatively short period. Taking several years of operation into view, rotary vane pumps proved by far the most cost-effective, and in particular Pneumofore’s own thoroughly engineered rotary vane technology, which was pioneered and continuously improved over nearly a century.
Pneumofore rotary vane air ends have non-consumable sliding metal vanes on a rotor held by only two oversized roller bearings and encased in very sturdy housing. The simplicity of this layout, together with the efficiency of direct coupling to the motor, allows a low rotation speed and thereby keeps the operating temperature low as well. This enables less power usage, less vapour emission, and offers considerably higher reliability. The rest of the Pneumofore system is equally simple, durable, and easy to access for routine maintenance.
Compared to any of the other solutions available on the market today, the Pneumofore end-user evidently profits from less risk of failure, less adsorbed power cost, and less need for maintenance and spare parts. In addition, lower vapour emission levels and reduced power waste address the rising importance of environmental protection – one more reason why more VRU run with Pneumofore.
