Acclon Technologies

Turbopumps

Turbopumps are used for a variety of purposes and are suitable for multiple industries. But what exactly are they, and what are their benefits? A turbopump is a pump used to move gases and liquids using centrifugal force. They are designed for applications that require a high vacuum or high pressure.

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  • Een groot aantal standaardvarianten

What are turbopumps?

When looking at their operation, vacuum pumps can be broadly divided into two main types: turbopumps (also known as turbine pumps) and volumetric pumps (also called displacement pumps). A turbopump operates using a rotating impeller inside a cylindrical housing. The rotor blades spin at high speed, drawing in gas or liquid and expelling it outward through centrifugal force.

This force creates low pressure at the rotor’s center and high pressure at its outer edge. A turbomolecular pump typically has high flow rates but low discharge pressures (compared to volumetric pumps). The flow rate depends on the pressure of the area into which 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, used to pump gases to high vacuum pressures. Driven by a high-speed motor, it is used to achieve high to ultra-high vacuum (less than 10^-7 mbar). At such low pressures, normal fluid dynamics no longer apply, so the gas molecules in a turbomolecular pump are hit by blades from the inlet to the outlet.

Cryogenic turbopump

Cryogenic pumps are used to pump gases and liquids at extremely low temperatures (known as cryogenic substances). Cryogenic liquids are gases liquefied at very low temperatures. Gases such as LNG, LPG, LH2, ethylene, propane, butane, and nitrogen must be pumped cryogenically. The unique 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

Also called a magnetic pump or magnetically coupled pump, the magnetically levitated turbopump 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 hermetically seals the pump, making magnetic pumps a safe solution for pumping chemical and corrosive liquids.

Turbopompen - Acclon Technologies

Advantages of turbopumps

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

Vacuum technology with a turbopump is proven to be the best method for maintaining the cold temperatures of transfer lines and cryogenic systems. Compared to standard insulation, vacuum insulation has much higher insulating value, reducing heat ingress and gas loss.

Additionally, turbopumps have simpler constructions than displacement pumps, often making them less expensive to purchase. They are also quiet and require minimal maintenance, making them an attractive choice for applications where reliability is critical.

Applications

In the aerospace industry, cryogenic pumps are frequently 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, such as in the production of computer chips.

Centrifugal turbopumps are also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, cryogenic pumps have numerous applications in industries like automotive, healthcare, marine, and even scientific research.

Turbopompen - Acclon Technologies

Range of turbopumps

Edwards’ nEXT & STP turbopumps offer cutting-edge technology, built on the trusted EXT and STP series with decades of experience. These pumps provide users with unparalleled performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance. 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 user-friendly and cost-effective, with various models available for high forevacuum resistance and capacities ranging from 50 to 1200 l/sec.

STP Maglev pumps, featuring full magnetic levitation, are highly reliable, vibration-free, and maintenance-free. These pumps are equipped with magnetic bearings that fully suspend the rotor, making them ideal for applications requiring minimal maintenance, low vibration, hydrocarbon-free pumping, and high uptime. Capacities range from 300 to 4500 l/sec, with and without drag stages for high forevacuum resistance.