Understanding Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps: When and Why to Choose Them
Vacuum technology powers countless industrial processes, from food production to chemical manufacturing to energy generation. Among the many vacuum technologies available, liquid ring vacuum pumps have carved out a special niche for applications that require reliable, durable, and low-maintenance solutions—especially when handling vapor-heavy, wet, or corrosive gases.
Atlas Copco, a global leader in vacuum solutions, offers a full range of liquid ring pumps designed to meet these tough industrial demands. In this blog, we’ll explore what liquid ring pumps are, how they work, when they’re the best choice, and why Atlas Copco’s designs outperform the competition.
📞 Need help choosing the right vacuum technology? Call Industrial Air Services at (615) 641-3100 for expert advice and service across Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
How Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Work
Liquid ring pumps use a rotating impeller housed eccentrically inside a casing. A sealant liquid—usually water—enters the pump along with the gas to be compressed. As the impeller rotates, centrifugal force throws the liquid outward, creating a rotating liquid ring.
This liquid ring traps pockets of gas between the impeller blades and the casing. As the impeller continues rotating, these pockets are compressed and pushed toward the discharge port.
Key characteristics of liquid ring operation include
Handling large volumes of vapor without contamination
Ability to compress saturated gases without condensation issues
Resilience to liquid carryover without damage
Simple, robust design with very few moving parts
Because of these properties, liquid ring pumps thrive in wet, dirty, and corrosive environments where other vacuum technologies might struggle.
When to Choose a Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump
Liquid ring pumps are not ideal for every application, but in the right environment, they offer unbeatable advantages.
Choose a liquid ring pump when
The process gas contains significant moisture or vapor
Corrosive or chemically reactive gases are present
High reliability is critical in challenging conditions
Oil-free operation is important (when water is used as the sealing fluid)
Low noise and smooth operation are desired
They are especially useful in industries like
Chemical processing (vapor recovery, distillation)
Pulp and paper (dewatering, vacuum forming)
Power generation (steam turbine evacuation)
Food and beverage (de-aeration, vacuum packaging)
Oil and gas (flare gas recovery, refining)
Atlas Copco’s Liquid Ring Vacuum Pump Series
Atlas Copco’s range of liquid ring pumps includes
AWL Series: Compact, single-stage liquid ring pumps designed for wet processes and moderate vacuum levels
AWS Series: Standard two-stage pumps optimized for deeper vacuum levels and higher gas throughput
AWD Series: Heavy-duty two-stage pumps for demanding, corrosive, or high-temperature applications
AWC Series: Custom-configured systems combining pumps, separators, and control panels for turnkey installation
Each series is engineered for maximum uptime, efficiency, and flexibility. Pumps are available with a range of materials of construction including stainless steel, bronze, and cast iron to handle corrosive or abrasive gases.
Advantages of Atlas Copco Liquid Ring Pumps
Robust Construction
Atlas Copco designs their liquid ring pumps with heavy-duty components, including corrosion-resistant casings and impellers, to extend service life even in the harshest environments.
High Efficiency
Modern design optimizations such as improved impeller profiles and optimized fluid flow channels increase volumetric efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Quiet Operation
Liquid ring pumps operate with smooth, continuous compression, resulting in much quieter noise profiles than other types of vacuum pumps.
Minimal Maintenance Requirements
With fewer moving parts, no internal metal-to-metal contact, and simple mechanical seals, Atlas Copco liquid ring pumps require very little preventive maintenance compared to dry screw or oil-sealed rotary vane pumps.
Flexible Fluid Options
While water is the most common sealing liquid, Atlas Copco pumps can be configured to operate with specialized fluids such as glycol, solvents, or oils depending on the application.
Real-World Example: Chemical Recovery Plant in Alabama
A specialty chemical manufacturer in Alabama needed a vacuum system for recovering solvent vapors from a batch distillation process. The gas stream contained high moisture content and traces of corrosive acids.
Industrial Air Services evaluated the process and installed two Atlas Copco AWD Series liquid ring vacuum pumps, constructed with stainless steel wetted parts for corrosion resistance.
Results after 18 months
Zero unscheduled maintenance events
Consistent vacuum levels even with fluctuating load
Reduced energy consumption compared to legacy pumps
Solvent recovery rates increased by 12% due to stable vacuum
📞 Considering a liquid ring system for your process? Call Industrial Air Services at (615) 641-3100 for a consultation.
While dry screw pumps are more energy-efficient in dry gas applications, liquid ring pumps dominate when moisture, wet vapors, and dirty gases are involved.
Maintenance Tips for Liquid Ring Pumps
To maximize the life and efficiency of a liquid ring pump
Use clean sealant liquid (filtered water or treated fluid)
Monitor sealant temperature to prevent overheating
Inspect and maintain mechanical seals periodically
Flush the pump when handling sticky or corrosive media
Follow Atlas Copco’s recommended service intervals and use OEM parts
Industrial Air Services offers preventive maintenance contracts to keep your vacuum system operating at peak performance.
Why Choose Industrial Air Services for Liquid Ring Vacuum Solutions
Industrial Air Services is your trusted source for Atlas Copco liquid ring pumps across Tennessee. Our services include
On-site vacuum audits and system design
Pump sizing and materials consultation
Installation and commissioning
Preventive maintenance and emergency service
OEM parts, rebuild kits, and fast repair turnaround
Our experienced team ensures your system is designed right, installed correctly, and maintained for long-term success.
📞 Need a quote or system evaluation? Call Industrial Air Services at (615) 641-3100 today.
Conclusion
Liquid ring vacuum pumps offer unbeatable performance in applications with vapor, moisture, and corrosive gases. Atlas Copco’s AWL, AWS, AWD, and AWC series pumps deliver rugged reliability, low maintenance, and efficient operation. Whether you're upgrading a system or installing new equipment, Industrial Air Services has the expertise to design and support a liquid ring vacuum solution perfectly matched to your needs.
Contact Industrial Air Services at (615) 641-3100 today to schedule a site evaluation or discuss how liquid ring technology can improve your operations in Nashville, Knoxville, or Chattanooga.
