Explosion Risk Prevention / ATEX
Special explosion risk-related key factors have to be taken into consideration when ignitable material has to be taken from bins and conveyed and transferred into feeds for processing machines. Volkmann is one of the leading manufacturers of the most secure powder handling systems and explosion risk protection and prevention.
Volkmann Pneumatic Vacuum Conveyors were the first on the market to be fully certified under European ATEX regulations for all dust, and subsequently, gas explosion zones. Customers depend on Volkmann for reliable transport based on our strong safety record.
Vacuum Conveying Of Bulk Material in Hazardous Areas
Volkmann offers specific and safe best practice solutions and vacuum conveying systems for applications where special precautions may be necessary if flammable atmospheres and gases are present in addition to the conveyed material. This can include situations where powders and bulk materials are conveyed or loaded inside explosive and hazardous areas, and special aspects have to be considered to avoid electric discharges caused by the electrostatically charged product.
All Volkmann VS and PPC Pneumatic Vacuum Conveyors are ATEX-certified and can be regarded “explosion-safe” for all dust explosion areas/zones (for conveying materials with MIE >1 mJ; MIE = minimum ignition energy) and if no inflammable gases are present.
Additionally, Volkmann offers special Vacuum Conveyors with inerting system for applications where solvents or inflammable gas atmospheres occur and need to be considered. These special conveyors can even load powders and granulate materials into reactors with a solvent/alcohol atmosphere inside (for Explosion Zone 0* and 1). For such critical applications the conveyor is determined by local demands for the conveying task.
Volkmann Vacuum Conveyors for safe use with hazardous materials and environments:
- Are free of ignition sources
- Operate completely pneumatically without electricity
- Feature a completely electrical conductive design
- Offer small interior filling volumes and low transportation velocity
- Generate no heat and do not contain any hot surfaces
- Have no rotary parts
- Are easy to control and to operate
(*Feeding into a “Zone 0” or Class 1 Div 1 zones requires further inerting. Typically, the zone is specified by the operator’s explosion and safety guideline. )