Acclon Technologies

Looking for a Turbopump?

  • Superior performance

  • Proven reliability for peace of mind

  • Flexible solutions

  • Ease of use

  • Extended lifetime and low cost of ownership

  • Large variety of standard variants

What are turbopumps?

When looking at their operation, vacuum pumps can generally be divided into two main types: turbopumps (also called turbine pumps) and volumetric pumps (also called displacement pumps). A turbopump operates using a rotating impeller placed inside a cylindrical housing. The rotor blade spins at high speed, causing gas or liquid to be drawn in and expelled outward through centrifugal force.

This force creates low pressure at the rotor’s center and high pressure at its outer edge. A turbopump typically has high flow rates but low discharge pressures (compared to volumetric pumps). The flow rate depends on the pressure of the space where the fluid is being pumped, while the flow rate of a volumetric pump (in theory) is independent of pressure differences.

Different types of turbopumps

Turbomolecular pump

The turbomolecular pump is the most common type of turbopump and is used for pumping gases to high vacuum pressures. The turbomolecular pump operates by rotating its motor at high speeds. This pump is used to achieve high to ultra-high vacuum (less than 10^-7 mbar). At such low pressures, regular fluid dynamics no longer work, so in a turbomolecular pump, gas molecules are hit from the inlet to the outlet by blades.

Cryogenic turbopump

The cryogenic turbopump is used for pumping gases and liquids at very low temperatures (known as cryogenic substances). Cryogenic liquids are gases liquefied at extremely low temperatures. Gases like LNG, LPG, LH2, ethylene, propane, butane, and nitrogen must be pumped cryogenically. The special physical properties of these cryogenic substances make them difficult to pump, requiring system pressures ranging from 50 to 300 bar or more.

Magnetically levitated turbopump

The magnetically levitated turbopump, also known as a magnetic pump or magnetically coupled pump, is designed for applications requiring high flow rates and pressures. In this pump, the pumping section is separated from the drive by a magnetic coupling, consisting of an inner and outer rotor with a sealing sleeve in between. This sleeve completely hermetically seals the pump, making magnetic pumps a safe solution for pumping chemical and corrosive liquids.

Advantages of turbopumps

Turbopumps offer several advantages over other types of pumps, such as volumetric pumps. For instance, they can move gases and liquids with high efficiency and flow rates, making them suitable for applications where speed and precision are important.

Vacuum technology using a turbopump is proven to be the best technique for maintaining the cold temperatures of transfer lines and cryogenic systems. Compared to regular insulation, the insulation value of vacuum insulation is much higher, reducing heat ingress and minimizing gas losses.

Because their construction is generally simpler than displacement pumps, the purchase price is often lower. Moreover, they are quiet and require little maintenance, making a turbopump attractive for applications where reliability is crucial.

Applications

In the aerospace industry, cryogenic pumps are commonly used to pump fuel and oxidizers into rocket engines, ensuring that the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber. In the semiconductor industry, they are used for vacuum processes in the production of computer chips.

Centrifugal turbopumps are also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Cryogenic pumps have various applications in the automotive industry, medical field, marine sector, and for scientific research.

Range of turbopumps

RANGE VAN TURBOPOMPEN

The nEXT & STP turbopumps from Edwards offer the ultimate technology, built on the trusted EXT and STP series with decades of experience. These pumps combine unparalleled performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance for users. Edwards pumps set the new standard for scientific turbomolecular pumps.

The nEXT series combines high pumping capacity with a compact design and high compression ratios. They are easy to use and cost-efficient. Various models are available for high forevacuum resistance, with capacities ranging from 50 to 1200 l/sec.

The STP Maglev pumps, with their fully magnetic bearings, are highly reliable, vibration-free, and maintenance-free. These pumps feature magnetic bearings that fully suspend the rotor, making them perfect for applications that require minimal maintenance, low vibration, hydrocarbon-free pumping, and high uptime. Their capacity ranges from 300 to 4500 l/sec, with and without drag stages for high forevacuum resistance.