Corporate
The life-threatening danger in the air Weighing solutions for potentially explosive atmospheres
In the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries, there is often an invisible danger in the air. Gases and dusts are constant companions which, in combination with a single ignition spark, can trigger a catastrophe. Find out in this technical article how the Ex weighing solutions from Minebea Intec, a leading manufacturer of weighing and inspection technologies, ensure safe and at the same time highly efficient work in this hazardous atmosphere.
In industrial production facilities where chemicals are used, conditions often prevail where flammable gases such as methane, propane or hydrogen are present in the air. These gases can be ignited by a tiny spark and lead to a catastrophic explosion that can endanger human life and production structures. Dust particles that can accumulate in the air are also extremely dangerous. Powdery substances in particular, such as flour, sugar or wood dust, can spread in the air and react explosively on contact with an ignition source.
Potentially explosive atmospheres are divided into zones depending on the probability of an explosive atmosphere occurring and the explosive substances present. In zone 0 or 20, there is a constant danger due to high concentrations of gases, dusts, vapors or mists. Zone 1 or 21 has a probable but not constant hazard in the vicinity of zone 0. In zone 2 or 22, there is a rare and short-term hazard at a greater distance from the source. This classification is based on international standards such as the ATEX directive for Europe and IECEx certification for the rest of the world. Zones 0, 1 and 2 refer to gases and, in contrast, zones 20, 21 and 22 apply to dust. "Given these potentially lethal hazards, it is vital that all equipment and instruments used in these potentially explosive environments meet the strictest safety standards," says Lena-Marie Fornika, Global Product Manager at Minebea Intec. "We offer weighing technologies that are certified for each of these areas."
Industrial scales in focus: Ensuring ATEX compliance for a leading aerospace company
The floor scales and bench scales Combics? and Midrics? as well as the IF floor scale from Minebea Intec offer many advantages for hazardous areas. The industrial scales in the Combics? series are robust and versatile. Certified to ATEX, IECEx and FM, these scales ensure compliance with Ex requirements. They offer high accuracy, a user-friendly interface and various weighing units. The industrial scales in the Midrics? series offer similar benefits, but in a more compact design. They are also approved for use in hazardous areas and offer high accuracy and reliability. The IF floor scales are ideal for applications with heavy loads and are even suitable for use in Zone 2/22. Overall, these scales offer the ideal combination of safety, precision and user-friendliness for use in hazardous areas.
The example of Avio, a leading Italian manufacturer of aerospace fuels, illustrates exactly how customers can benefit from these Ex-certified industrial scales. The company needed to adapt its equipment to the ATEX directives after internal audits revealed that the current instruments no longer complied with the updated regulations. Avio sought quotes from various suppliers and then chose an ATEX Zone 1 weighing solution from Minebea Intec. The company provided a complete solution, including ATEX-certified equipment and customised software. The solution comprised two Combics? weighing platforms with resolutions of 15,000 d and 30,000 d and weighing ranges of 3,000 kg/200 g and 60 kg/2 g, a Maxxis 5 programmable weighing controller and PR 5110 remote displays. Minebea Intec's engineering support team developed a software solution for recipe management and also installed a control cabinet with intrinsically safe interfaces for secure data transmission. The solution not only complied with health and safety guidelines, but also optimized the efficiency of Avio's dosing system.
Weighing indicator Midrics? 1 Ex is the latest addition to the Ex portfolio
Minebea Intec is constantly expanding its range of Ex solutions. For example, the company recently launched the Midrics? 1 Ex weighing indicator. "With the Midrics? 1 Ex weighing indicator, we offer a state-of-the-art solution for visualizing weighing results in hazardous areas," says Lena-Marie Fornika. "Users benefit not only from the affordable price, but above all from the reliability and intuitive operation of the product."
The intrinsically safe weighing indicator Midrics? 1 Ex is suitable for a wide range of applications such as counting, inspection or pre-packaging control. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials, it is the ideal choice for quality managers, machine builders and technical engineers looking for a durable indicator solution for hazardous areas.
Best practice: SABIC and Ex-certified compression load cells
Another customer example demonstrates the performance of Minebea Intec's Ex-certified load cells. SABIC, a leading Saudi Arabian petrochemical company, was looking for reliable weighing systems for dosing hoppers and the replacement of defective components in granulate hoppers. Minebea Intec was chosen for its experience, accuracy and adherence to strict safety standards. Minebea Intec installed three S PR 6241 compression load cells for outdoor use in accordance with the ATEX directive. The load cells enabled a transmission range of 500 m. Minebea Intec supplied also four PR 6201 precision compression load cells and PR 6143 compact kits, all ATEX-certified, for the defective granulate containers. This successful partnership established Minebea Intec as an official supplier to SABIC and demonstrates the company's ability to provide customized solutions that meet the highest safety standards.
Ex solutions when danger is in the air
All Minebea Intec products for potentially explosive atmospheres comply with the strictest international standards such as ATEX, IECEx and FM. In a world where the risk of explosion is in the air, choosing the right technology is crucial. Minebea Intec offers holistic weighing solutions that not only ensure the highest levels of safety, but also precision and efficiency. Lena-Marie Fornika: "Our products are more than just devices - they are partners for safety and success in hazardous areas."
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