Atlas Copco’s new GVS A rotary vane vacuum pumps feature a very compact design, fewer components, excel in reliability and are up to 15% more efficient making them ideal for a wide range of both industrial production and research applications.

The new generation GVS A which is completely replacing the previous GVS series of oil-sealed rotary vane vacuum pumps has been designed to minimise total operating expenses. Compared with the earlier generation, power demand at the same volume flow is about 15% lower.

Flow rates range from 16 to 7 00 m3/h (up to 840 m3/h with the 60 Hz pumps used outside Europe) compared to the former GVS pumps which only had a flow range from 20 to 305 m3/h (or 365 m3/h for the 60 Hz variant).

Willem Brits, sales representative for Vacuum Technique in South and southern Africa, comments on the extreme reliability of the GVS A pump series. “This can be attributed to a number of design improvements including fewer components, optimised shaft speeds, low operating temperatures and the special sturdy design of the new pump which all contribute to reduced wear.”

The pumps operate with internal injection channels, reducing the number of gaskets as well as the amount of external piping required. “With a 20% reduction in components, the risk of failure is dramatically reduced,” notes Brits.

The pumps’ very good oil retention capacity at all operating pressures further contribute to their class-leading reliability. The quantity of oil has been increased, offering clear benefits under arduous operating conditions if the oil gets contaminated by the process;  intervals between oil changes are also increased leading to more uptime and productivity.

In addition, the new GVS A generation offers protection against oil contamination and can handle higher inlet pressures than other pumps including the previous GVS series.

The inlet non-return valve protects the vacuum pump against counter-rotation in the event of stopping without venting. This device also protects the point of use against back-sucking of oil. The oil separation circuit of the GVS A has also been optimised to minimise oil vapours in the exhaust gas. “The risk of leakage has also been further minimised,” adds Brits.

At coarse pressures, other pumps could be prone to overheating or oil spills. The GVS A series operates at the lowest temperatures in the market, a feature that protects the oil consistency and extends its service life as well as maintenance intervals, making the new pump highly suitable for a much wider range of applications than its predecessor.

The vacuum pumps feature low vibrations and are about 3 to 5 dB(A) quieter than their predecessors. The new units’ compact space-saving design facilitates quick installation at the workplace or building them in machines.

Right from the very beginning Atlas Copco added two units to the range, the GVS 470 A and the GVS 630 A, which offer significantly higher capacities than in the past. These larger models in the series benefit from further design improvements. The ball bearings feature permanent lubrication and are isolated from the process.

This prevents bearing contamination, extends service intervals and further improves reliability. A special lubrication system also ensures homogeneous temperatures of the rotors without local overheating, leading to better conditions for the oil and protection of the pump. The guided rotary vanes extend the service life of the pump, allow higher intake flows at lower pressure, reducing cycle times and improving productivity; the rotary vanes also reduce noise levels for a more comfortable and safe work environment.

With their innovative design features and comprehensive accessories, these GVS A rotary vane pumps are suitable for is packaging, wood processing, rubber, plastics, paper and printing, material handling and other demanding applications. With motor ratings between 0.75 and 15 kW (up to 18.5 kW at 60 Hz) the pumps have an ultimate pressure between 0.1 and 0.5 mbar. In addition, oxygen variants are available from the GVS 60 A pump upwards.

Atlas Copco presented the new GVS A series at ComVac, the leading international trade fair for compressed air and vacuum technology, in Hanover which took place from 24 to 28 April 2017.