Dilo Armaturen und Anlagen GmbH has received the “Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award” from Busch Vacuum Solutions. The prize commends Dilo’s pioneering work in handling gases. Dilo was the first company ever to deal with the problem of handling sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) back in the 1960s. Sulfur hexafluoride is used as an insulating gas in electrical switchgear. Dilo has developed technical solutions that prevent this climate-damaging gas from entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
Busch Vacuum Solutions has been presenting this award since 2013, distinguishing companies and individuals who make use of particularly innovative vacuum technology ideas and thus benefit humanity and the environment. Presentation of the Innovation in Vacuum Award 2019 in spring was postponed until September due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now Managing Director Christian Scheller from Dilo Armaturen und Anlagen GmbH, Purchasing Manager Robert Escher and Technical Director Robert Kohler were given the award in a ceremony at Busch’s headquarters in Maulburg.
Sulfur hexafluoride is a gas used in electrical switchgear for high and medium voltages. It is used as an isolation gas because, in these high voltage ranges, the surrounding normal air would not serve as insulation. However, sulfur hexafluoride is very damaging to the environment, so it is important that this gas does not permeate the Earth’s atmosphere. In 1967, Dilo already introduced the first hermetically sealed tubing for gas-insulated switchgear that is able to safely suction the gas out and store it. During a period of over 50 years, Dilo created further innovations for safely handling this gas. Today, Dilo is the global market leader in this area and offers a broad spectrum of components, service equipment and measuring instruments. Dilo uses vacuum pumps from Busch to suction out and transport sulfur hexafluoride.