RAL opts for BOC Edwards vacuum pumps

BOC Edwards has won a contract to supply six of its XDS35i dry vacuum pumps to CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire.

The pumps will be used at the Assembly Integration and Verification Facility to create optimum vacuum conditions in the facility's thermal vacuum chambers.

The XDS35i pumps will be installed as the main roughing pumps to evacuate and vent each of the three thermal vacuum chambers.

XDS35i pumps will also be used as roughing pumps to regenerate the two large Cryopumps on the Space Test Chamber - the largest thermal vacuum chamber in the UK.

By creating a suitable vacuum environment undesired background components of the atmosphere are removed, enabling better interaction with the experimental subject under investigation.

RAL's Graham Toplis comments: "We wanted to eliminate any possibility of oil contamination in the chamber".

"It was also important that our chosen solution was low maintenance so as to avoid wasted time and unnecessary cost".

"The BOC Edwards XDS35i dry vacuum pump met all our criteria, and has an excellent reputation for performance".

"The pumps will play an important role in the research being undertaken at the laboratory." CCLRC RAL provides world-leading research and technology development, space test facilities, instrument and mission design, and studies of science and technology requirements for new missions.

Much of the RAL's space work is in collaboration with UK university research groups and a range of institutes around the world, many of which have been set up to support the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA missions.

The BOC Edwards patented system used in the XDS35i has no bearings or lubrication products in the vacuum environment.

There is no risk of contamination, and no need for regular oil changes or disposal.

Ideal for laboratory applications, XDS35i offers robust, clean, low-maintenance high-speed pumping up to 35cu.m/hr.