Students at TU Twente have been building hydrogen vehicles since 2011. Now a team from the university has constructed its first hydrogen racing car, called Apollo, and presented it at the Dutch Formula Student competition in Assen and at the Formula Student Germany competition at the Hockenheimring.

As the only team with a hydrogen racing car both in Assen and at the Hockenheimring, Green Team Twente did not take part in the races. Instead, it presented its vehicle. The aim was to arouse interest in the technology among the other teams and, in the long term, to develop a separate racing category. Apollo is the first hydrogen racing car in a Formula Student competition to be built entirely by a student team, including its hydrogen system.

A hydrogen vehicle is powered by a fuel cell in which hydrogen protons react with oxygen to create water. The MINK MH 0018 A claw compressor is used to recirculate excess hydrogen. This prevents hydrogen from being released into the atmosphere. As the exhaust gases of a hydrogen car consist mainly of water, such a vehicle is extremely environmentally friendly.

Formula Student is an international design competition for students in which around 500 universities from around the world participate. It has been held since 1979 and offers both future engineers and students of other subjects the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice.

In addition to the Green Team Twente, our company supports several other Formula Student teams: Joanneum Racing from Graz in Austria, Curtin Motorsport from Perth in Australia, the racing teams of the TU Delft in the Netherlands, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the TU Darmstadt in Germany.

The two schools were built in the municipalities of Serinyol and Maşuklu in the district of Antakya in the Hatay province and can accommodate a total of 670 pupils. In addition to pupils, teachers, parents, residents and representatives of the AKUT Foundation, which realized the project, the governor of Hatay province, the Director of the Provincial Department of Education and his deputy as well as the Director of the District Department of Education also took part in the celebrations.

The Chairman of the AKUT Foundation, Ali Nasuh Mahruki, emphasized in his speech at the opening ceremony: “Even though we are going through difficult times, we have set ourselves the goal of providing our students and teachers with the most efficient educational environment possible. We wish all students, teachers and parents a successful and enjoyable educational experience.”

Each of the new, soundproofed school buildings consists of eight classrooms, a staff room, a principal’s room and toilets, and are equipped with air conditioning, security systems, technical equipment, emergency exits, generators and water tanks. The classrooms have been furnished with desks, blackboards, computers and projectors.

“We were deeply moved by the devastating tragedy that occurred in my home country,” Ayhan Busch, co-founder and co-owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions, explained. “For my family, it was therefore a matter of course and a matter close to our hearts to help.”

In addition, Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch also donated 100,000 Euro to an emergency aid fund for students at the Technical University of Munich whose families were affected by the earthquake. 23 students were supported, 22 from Turkey and one from Syria. The amount of financial support was 300, 650 or 800 Euro per month over a period of six months, depending on whether the students had additional income and how much this amounted to. The TUM was able to finance all the scholarships with this one donation, with the majority of scholarship holders receiving the maximum amount.

One of the scholarship holders reports gratefully: “Receiving the scholarship in the aftermath of the earthquake was a miraculous experience for me, both academically and personally. This support provided me with not only financial support but also a profound sense of encouragement and stability during one of the most challenging periods of my life.”

Professor Hofmann, President of the Technical University of Munich, thanks Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch for the generous donation: “In personal conversations with the young people, I sensed more than a great deal of gratitude for the financial support. Of course, we could not relieve them of their worries. But thanks to the donation from Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch, we were at least able to alleviate their financial hardship and enable them to continue their studies at the TUM.”

The Busch family has a close relationship with the Technical University of Munich, where Dr Karl Busch studied in the 1950s and received his doctorate in 1960. The co-founder and co-owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions is a great supporter of the university and was made an honorary senator in 2019.

The AKUT Foundation is a Turkish non-governmental organization that sent
humanitarian aid supplies, technical equipment and protective gear for search and rescue teams to the disaster region after the earthquake.

On February 6, 2023, at 4:17 a.m., a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. A short time later, the earth shook again with a magnitude of 7.5. During that night, one of the worst natural disasters in the region in recent decades claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused severe devastation over a radius of hundreds of kilometers.

1. Regelmäßiges Hochfahren
Genau wie Automotoren profitieren auch Vakuumpumpen im Standby-Modus von gelegentlichen Starts, insbesondere bei kaltem Wetter. Mit dieser Maßnahme sorgen Sie dafür, dass sich das Öl auf geschmierten Bauteilen verteilt, und Sie beugen Korrosion vor. Außerdem lässt sich durch regelmäßiges Erwärmen der Pumpe etwaiges Kondenswasser beseitigen, was die Korrosionsgefahr weiter verringert.

2. Ölwechsel
Schmieröl kann im Laufe der Zeit dickflüssiger werden, was durch vorhandene Verunreinigungen noch verschlimmert wird. Bei kalter Witterung kann sich die Viskosität des Öls noch weiter erhöhen, sodass ein höherer Anlaufstrom erforderlich ist. In der Folge kann es dann zu unerwünschten Leistungsabfällen kommen. Bei bevorstehendem kalten Wetter oder einer längeren Stillstandszeit sollten Sie eine Wartung Ihrer Vakuumpumpe, einschließlich eines Ölwechsels, in Betracht ziehen. Wenn Sie das Öl am Ende einer Saison durch frisches ersetzen, werden Verunreinigungen entfernt und geschmierte Bauteile besser geschützt. Zudem sind Spezial-Vakuumpumpenöle mit verbesserter Korrosionsbeständigkeit erhältlich, die zum Schutz Ihrer Vakuumpumpe im Winter beitragen.

3. Kühlmittel
Bei Pumpen mit Kühlmittel, wie z. B. unseren trockenen Schrauben-Vakuumpumpen COBRA, wird ein jährlicher Kühlmittelwechsel empfohlen, um eine Zersetzung zu verhindern, die die Fähigkeit des Kühlmittels beeinträchtigen kann, ein Einfrieren zu vermeiden. Entscheiden Sie sich für zertifizierte Kühlmittel mit definierter Konzentration und garantiertem Korrosionsschutz für beste Laufleistung.

4. Wassergekühlte Pumpen
Sorgen Sie bei Vakuumpumpen mit Wasserkühlung bei kaltem Wetter für einen kontinuierlichen Durchfluss des Wassers, um ein Einfrieren zu verhindern. Das Ablassen des Wassers aus der Vakuumpumpe bei längerer Inaktivität, insbesondere bei Minusgraden, ist darüber hinaus eine geeignete Maßnahme, um mögliches Einfrieren und Folgeschäden zu vermeiden.

5. Isolierung und Begleitheizung
Dämmmaterial für die Wärmeisolierung von Vakuumpumpen und zugehörigen Rohrleitungen sollte regelmäßig auf seinen Zustand geprüft werden. Achten Sie auf Anzeichen von Beschädigung, Verschleiß oder eindringender Feuchtigkeit und überprüfen Sie die sichere Installation. Achten Sie besonders auf Bereiche, in denen Isolierung für Wartungsarbeiten entfernt oder versehentlich beschädigt worden sein könnte. Stellen Sie bei Systemen mit Begleitheizung sicher, dass diese ordnungsgemäß funktioniert. Erwägen Sie die Verwendung einer Wärmebildkamera, um Hotspots zu identifizieren, insbesondere wenn keine Begleitheizung vorhanden ist. Beachten Sie, dass das Fördermedium für aussagekräftige Wärmebildergebnisse auch ohne Begleitheizung wärmer als die Umgebungstemperatur sein muss.

6. Wartung der Filter
Überprüfen und entleeren Sie regelmäßig die Filtersysteme, in denen sich Wasser sammelt, um frostbedingte Risse zu vermeiden. Behälter aus Polycarbonat können besonders spröde und rissanfällig sein. Stellen Sie sicher, dass wasserabscheidende Filter vor jeder Abschaltung entleert werden, um Komplikationen während der Stillstandszeiten zu vermeiden.

Es ist wichtig, dass Sie Ihre Vakuumpumpen rechtzeitig winterfest machen, damit sie weiterhin zuverlässig und effizient funktionieren. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihre Ausrüstung gut auf die Herausforderungen der Wintersaison vorbereitet ist. Lassen Sie die Kälte nicht Ihre Betriebsabläufe beeinträchtigen – schützen Sie Ihre Investition mit unseren fachkundigen Wartungstipps.

One solution – countless applications
The vacuum pumps in the R5 RA series have shown themselves to be multi-talents. Thanks to their proven rotary vane technology, which has been specially designed for continuous operation in industrial vacuum, the vacuum pumps are ideally suited for a wide range of applications. These include not only freeze drying, vacuum cooling and various forms of vacuum packaging, but also pneumatic conveying.

Save energy thanks to optimal operating conditions
With the powerful COBRA DX plug&pump solution, Busch demonstrates its state-of-the-art screw technology, which can be used in many applications in the food and beverage industry. The dry screw vacuum pumps have a touch screen with intuitive menu navigation. An integrated variable speed drive with various operating modes ensures that the COBRA DX vacuum pumps operate under optimal operating conditions at all times, thus keeping the total cost-of-ownership low.

Reliability with high quality requirements
Busch DOLPHIN VL liquid ring vacuum pumps are particularly suitable for beverage filling applications. They are particularly resistant to condensates, solutions containing sugar, and sticky substances. DOLPHIN VL vacuum pumps and systems can be easily cleaned in a CIP process. 

An open or closed fluid circuit can save up to 70% of the required operating fluid. The frequency control option also offers considerable energy-saving potential. This is due to the fact that only as much vacuum is generated as is actually required for the respective application.

Busch IoT solutions from Busch, such as OO Digital Services, complement these energy-efficient liquid ring solutions by reducing downtime, identifying losses and increasing productivity.

High demands – limited resources
Busch Vacuum Solutions focuses not only on technological innovation, but also on environmental conservation and the sustainable use of resources. The products and technologies are designed to minimize energy consumption and actively reduce the environmental footprint of the food and beverage industry.

Meet Busch vacuum experts for a personal exchange at Anuga FoodTec in Hall 8.1, Booth B-100.

The new building is being constructed on an area of almost 6,100 square meters in the Grossmatt industrial estate in Sisseln in the canton Aargau. Premises for systems building, a repair workshop, storage space, and offices for sales staff and engineers will occupy a total of 3,195 square meters. It goes without saying that all 34 existing employees of Busch Switzerland, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will continue to be employed in Sisseln, as will the 15 employees of Pfeiffer Vacuum Switzerland. Busch Switzerland is currently based in Magden, near Sisseln, while Pfeiffer Vacuum Switzerland is in Zurich.

Das neue Gebäude entsteht auf einer Fläche von knapp 6.100 Quadratmetern im Gewerbegebiet Grossmatt in Sisseln im Kanton Aargau. Auf insgesamt 3.195 Quadratmetern werden Räumlichkeiten für den Anlagenbau, eine Reparaturwerkstatt, Lagerflächen sowie Büros für Vertriebsmitarbeiter und Ingenieure untergebracht. Selbstverständlich werden alle 34 Mitarbeiter von Busch Schweiz, das in diesem Jahr sein 50-jähriges Bestehen feiert, in Sisseln weiterbeschäftigt, ebenso wie die 15 Mitarbeiter von Pfeiffer Vacuum Schweiz. Busch Schweiz ist derzeit in Magden nahe Sisseln ansässig, Pfeiffer Vacuum Schweiz in Zürich.

1. Periodic start-ups
Much like a car engine, vacuum pumps left idle, especially in cold weather, benefit from occasional start-ups. This practice ensures the distribution of oil on lubricated components, preventing corrosion. Additionally, periodic warming of the pump helps clear any condensation, further mitigating the risk of corrosion.

2. Oil changes
Lubricating oil can thicken over time, exacerbated by the presence of contaminants. Cold weather can further increase the viscosity of the oil, leading to a higher starting current being required, potentially causing inconvenient power trips. Consider servicing your vacuum pump, including an oil change, before anticipated cold weather or a shutdown. Changing to fresh oil at the end of a season removes contaminants, providing superior protection to lubricated components. Certain special vacuum pump oils are also available with improved corrosion resistance and can help you to protect your vacuum pump during wintertime.

3. Coolant
For pumps with coolants, such as our COBRA dry screw vacuum pumps, annual coolant changes are recommended to prevent degradation that may impact the fluid’s ability to prevent freezing. Opt for certified premixed coolant with known performance properties, concentration and corrosion protection.

4. Water-cooled pumps
In pumps directly cooled with water, ensure continuous water flow during cold weather to prevent freezing. Draining the water from the pump during extended periods of inactivity, especially in sub-zero temperatures, is good practice to avoid potential freezing and subsequent damage.

5. Insulation and heat tracing
It’s important to regularly inspect the condition of lagging materials that provide heat insulation to vacuum pumps and associated pipework. Look for signs of damage, wear, or moisture ingress, and confirm secure installation. Pay special attention to areas where lagging may have been removed for maintenance or where accidental damage could occur. For systems with heat tracing, ensure it functions correctly. Consider using a thermal imaging camera to identify hot spots, especially if heat tracing is absent. Note that meaningful thermal imaging results without heat tracing require the contents to be hotter than the ambient temperature.

6. Filtration maintenance
Regularly check and empty filtration systems that collect water to prevent freezing-induced cracking. Those with polycarbonate bowls can be especially brittle and prone to cracking. Ensure water-separating filters are emptied before any shutdown to avoid complications during inactive periods.

Proactive winterization measures are crucial for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of your vacuum pumps, ensuring your equipment is well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the winter season. Don’t let the cold compromise your operations – safeguard your investment with our expert maintenance tips.

The total construction costs amount to 1,945,000 Euro. Construction is being partially funded by the state with a grant of 1,320,690 Euro. This leaves 624,310 Euro for the Todtnau Mountain Rescue Service to cover.

“The Schwarzwald Bergwacht e.V., and the Todtnau chapter in particular, would like to thank Busch Vacuum Solutions for the generous support of our project of the century: the enlargement and refurbishment of the Feldberg mountain rescue station. Thanks to this support, we are one step closer to the mammoth task of raising the necessary funds to the amount of approximately 630,000 Euro,” says David Waßmer, 1st Chairman of the Todtnau Mountain Rescue Service.

“Busch Vacuum Solutions is supporting us in making the mountain rescue service future-proof and able to be there for people in any weather, on any terrain,” he adds.

The Todtnau Mountain Rescue Service, founded in 1925, consists of 29 active voluntary members, 10 trainees, and six young people in the youth mountain rescue. These dedicated members provide the majority of the services at the Feldberg mountain rescue station, as well as looking after the premises and investing a lot of work in their maintenance. The mountain rescue service is not only the center of operations, from which up to 500 mountain rescue operations are coordinated and carried out annually, but also an important association center and training room.

Feldberg, Germany’s highest mountain outside the Alps, is home to the largest ski area in Germany and is a popular hiking area in the summer. The headquarters of Busch Vacuum Solutions in Maulburg is located near this diverse natural reserve.

Die Baukosten belaufen sich auf insgesamt 1.945.000 Euro. Gefördert wird der Bau aus Landesmitteln mit 1.320.690 Euro. Damit bleibt für die Bergwacht Todtnau ein Eigenanteil von 624.310 Euro.

„Die Bergwacht Schwarzwald e.V. und insbesondere die Ortsgruppe Todtnau bedankt sich herzlich bei Busch Vacuum Solutions für die großzügige Unterstützung unseres Jahrhundert-Projekts, der Erweiterung und Sanierung der Bergrettungswache Feldberg. Dank dieser Unterstützung kommen wir der Mammutaufgabe, die Eigenmittel in Höhe von ca. 630.000€ aufzubringen, einen Schritt näher,“ freut sich David Waßmer, 1. Vorsitzender der Bergwacht Todtnau und ergänzt:

„Busch Vacuum Solutions unterstützt uns dabei den Bergrettungsdienst zukunftssicher zu machen und bei jedem Wetter, in jedem Gelände für die Menschen da zu sein.“

Die Bergwacht Todtnau, gegründet 1925, setzt sich aus 29 aktiven Mitgliedern, 10 Anwärterinnen und Anwärtern sowie sechs Jugendlichen in der Jugendbergwacht zusammen. Diese engagierten Mitglieder leisten nicht nur den Großteil der Dienste auf der Bergrettungswache Feldberg, sondern betreuen auch die Räumlichkeiten und investieren viel Arbeit in deren Pflege. Die Bergrettungswache ist nicht nur das Zentrum des Einsatzgeschehens, von der aus jährlich bis zu 500 Bergrettungseinsätzen koordiniert und durchgeführt werden, sondern auch ein wichtiger Vereinsmittelpunkt und Ausbildungsraum.

Der Feldberg, Deutschlands höchster Berg außerhalb der Alpen bietet das größte Skigebiet innerhalb Deutschlands und ist im Sommer ein beliebtes Wandergebiet. Der Hauptsitz von Busch Vacuum Solutions in Maulburg liegt in der Nähe dieses vielseitigen Naturgebietes.