Welcome
ATEX
WHAT IS ATEX
Its name is taken from:
ATEX – Atmospheres Explosibles
It’s a European Directive(s) that covers
“MINIMUM requirements for improving the safety and
health protection of workers potentially at risk from
explosive atmospheres” - 1999/92/EC
“Equipment and protective systems for use in Potentially
Explosive Atmospheres” - 94/9/EC
European Law !
WHY ATEX
Improves safety
In order to allow free trade between EU member countries
suppliers MUST comply with ALL relevant European Directives
ATEX falls within CE marking
THE FIRE TRIANGLE & COMBUSTION
OXIDANT
FUEL
(Air)
IGNITION SOURCE
(Heat)
DUST EXPLOSION MODEL
•Combustion creates heat
Heat Out (Release of energy)
•Combustion continues
for a finite time
•Heat can ignite a fuel
FUEL
•Reduction in size of fuel
(Burning) (dust) results in:
• surface area to mass
• combustion time
Heat In
DUST EXPLOSION MODEL
•Very small particles
FUEL (dust) results in very fast
(unburnt) combustion time.
Fuel •Small particles close
(absorbing together enable heat
heat) transfer (particle to
particle) to occur.
FUEL (burning) •Result - A Chain
Reaction.
DUST EXPLOSION MODEL
Fuel
Decomposes
Heat absorption
Burnt Dust
Flame
DUST EXPLOSION MODEL
Burnt Dust Flame Propagation
CONFINEMENT OF THE FLAME
FRONT
As the flame
front moves and
expands more
Heat Generates heat is
generated.
Gas expansion
Internal
Pressure
CONFINEMENT OF THE FLAME FRONT
STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE VESSEL
TOO LOW DUST CONCENTRATION -
NO PROPAGATION
E.g.
Capture hood
ductwork
LEL Lower
Explosion Limit
TOO HIGH DUST CONCENTRATION :
NOT ENOUGH AIR TO GET
COMBUSTION
Eg: dust deposit
UEL Upper Explosion Limit
RIGHT DUST CONCENTRATION : EXPLOSION
Concentrations in
between LEL and
UEL
EXPLOSIBILITY INDEX KST (BAR.M/S)
Pmax
Kst = 300
Pressure (bar)
Kst = 200
Kst = 100
KsT = [dp/dt]max
Time (milliseconds)
EXPLOSIBILITY CLASSES
Dust
Classification Explosibility (Kst)
ST-1 (eg Wheat) 200 ≥ Kst
ST-2 (eg Toner) 201 ≤ Kst ≤ 300
ST-3 (Alu.) Kst ≥ 301
SOME FACTS
UK Reported Dust Explosions (1958 – 79) : 721
Explosions, with 991 Injuries – 34 Fatal
Distribution Per Industry (UK Source)
AGRIC.
PLASTICS 9% COAL
13% 5%
WOOD
17%
METAL OTHERS
43% 13%
STATISTICS ABOUT DUST EXPLOSION
OCCURRENCE PER TYPE OF EQUIPMENT
DUST
COLLECTORS
17%
Others
17%
SILOS
20%
Crushers
13%
GRINDING
BULK
PULVERIZED MIXERS 5%
HANDLING DRIERS
10% COAL 5%
8% 5%
WHO IT AFFECTS
Manufactures and suppliers of the affected items that operate in
potentially explosive atmospheres :
carryout an assessment to ensure equipment meets the requirements for the
atmosphere in which they are to be used
New equipment supplied from 1st July 2003 ATEX Directive 94/9/EC
Existing equipment from 1 July 2006
st
(ATEX 100a)
Owners and users of the affected items that are intended to
operate in.potentially explosive atmospheres.
Assess the area where the equipment is to be used. If potentially explosive
atmospheres exist then suitable equipment must be specified and used.
New factories put into service from 1st July 2003
Existing factories from 1st July 2006
ATEX Directive 99/92/EG
(ATEX 118a)
ATEX DIRECTIVE
Cover: dust, gas and hybrid mixtures
Covers the electrical and non electrical
risks
Equipment
Protective systems
Safety devices
Components
EQUIPMENT
Machines, apparatus, fixed or mobile devices
… which separately or jointly are intended for
the generation, transfer, storage … and /or
processing of material and which are capable
of causing an explosion through their own
potential sources of ignition.
•Dust Collector
•Fan
•Rotary valve
•Screw conveyor
REQUIRED INFORMATION
Dust / Gas characteristics
Layer ignition temperature – dust
Cloud ignition temperature – gas & dust
Minimum ignition energy mie
Dust conductive or not
Gas group IIA, IIB, IIC
WHAT WE CAN OFFER
Our experience based on over 100s current
turnkey ATEX installations throughout Europe and
hundreds of compliant units.
Site survey of existing equipment.
Full technical backup Complete range of ATEX
compliant equipment for both dust and gas.
Peace of mind : right solution for the given
application
PREVENTION
Eliminate the Oxidant (inert gas)
Eliminate the Ignition Source
Inertize the dust (lime injection)
Regular maintenance of the dust disposal system and cleaning
of the duct work to avoid dust deposit
PROTECTION
Venting
Suppression
Inertizing
Containment
Conclusions for “Constructors”
Customers Are forced to make a risk assessment on
their equipment to evaluate its potential to become an
ignition source
– Hot surfaces, Flames and hot gases, Mechanically generated sparks,
Electrical apparatus, Stray electric currents, Static electricity,
Exothermic reactions
Make products available that are safe to use in
potentially explosive atmospheres and organize
certification
CAUTIONS
The wrong filter elements are installed: not antistatic type may lead to
ignition in the filter.
The filter element porthole or other part of the housing (access cover) is not
fixed well and may tear up at explosion causing a flame jet or fireball.
Retrofitting metal ducts by non-conductive plastic hoses, plastic ducts or
flexible may lead to hazardous electrostatic discharges.
Painting of inside with high resistant coating that may result in hazardous
electrostatic
discharges.
Welding, cutting etc. (all hot work activities) on an operating or not
thoroughly cleaned not operating dust collector will result in strong ignition
sources and explosions.
…
Read Operation and Instruction Manual !!!
SOME DO-S AND DON’T-S
Perform a regular maintenance
inspecting the cleaning mechanism
Check the grounding and bonding at least once a year.
The housing of the dust collector should never be changed or painted in the inside
with a non-conducting coating.
Vents should never be blocked or painted.
Use the original bursting disc types only.
Do not alter the vent area or vent location.
Use original equipment as filter elements, electrical equipment, rotary valves etc..
Never open the dust collector during operation.
For any change in dust collector, safety system, process, product or filter location
the manufacturer should be consulted.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
Organisational measures
The employer must provide training with regard to explosion protection
Written instruction’s and permit to work may be required
Explosion protection measures:
Handle and releases safely
Prevent ignition
Put into service only if the explosion document allows
All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the equipment has been
suitably designed, constructed and installed and is operated and maintained to
minimise the risk of an explosion and if an explosion occurs control or minimise the
effects
Before use its explosion safety must be verified.
