The starting point is a strategic approach that starts from a detailed examination of the characteristics of the processes, in the determination of the product characterization parameters, in the careful selection of manufacturing materials, in the predominant use of preventive measures. From this initial risk analysis, the safety measures that are developed through constructive protection against explosions, systematic surveillance of manufacturing processes, control and inspection interventions on the entire supply chain descend.
On the design level, particular emphasis is placed on the meticulous analysis of the process, which from time to time translates into sharing with the customer the direct experience of the environment, materials and processes involved in the operational practice. The scope of application is the common reference system for the explosive class of dust, the assessment of explosion risks, and the principles of integrated safety.
These are essential prerequisites for validating the conformity of Idealtec equipment to the provisions of the ATEX Directive. Thus, through a concrete commitment, the diffusion of the culture of safety is developed, thanks to a precise response in terms of knowability and demandability of quality.
The set of equipment designed and intended for the movement of powders, for the production of solvent-based paints, with ATEX 0/20 marking, thus becomes the object of validation, for compliance with the provisions of the current legislation, for the existence of adequate safety conditions, for the search for solutions aimed at containing the risk. The raw materials used are solid and dry organic substances, stored in sacks and big bags.
The process consists in their transfer inside three dispersers, to be mixed with liquid solution. The control and management of the processes take place via PLC, the plant operates in batches. In the department, the supervision, control and inspection activities of the operations of assistance to the unloading of the raw materials, as well as the final packaging of the product, are carried out.
The equipment develops from a height of 0 up to a height of 5 meters, located in internal areas of the plant; the material is unloaded from the FIBC emptying station and sent to the dispersers with the aid of a screw conveyor and an aeromechanical conveyor on a self-propelled base.
From the assessment of explosive atmospheres and given the almost constant presence of potentially explosive conditions, it is necessary to assign the mandatory categorization with the related activation of the certification process for Zone 0/20 of the inside of Idealtec equipment.
Furthermore, the St2 class of the solid powder substance, from which an explosion violence equal to a range between 201 and 300 bar m/s (medium intrinsic explosive hazard assessment), the low resistivity of the product, as well as the tendency of the material to accumulate electrostatic charges, accentuate the need for the most rigorous adoption of preventive/protective measures against the explosion hazard.
Furthermore, the context in which one operates makes it highly relevant, for the areas and equipment of the plant being analyzed, to constantly maintain and record the practices for controlling grounding, equipotential connections of individual components, and limiting the time of airborne presence of dust to a technical minimum.
The unloading area of solid raw materials is maintained in a slight depression via a collection point located on the back of the equipment, while the suction of these collections is conveyed to a centralized filtration system. The unloading of the raw material therefore occurs at the equipotential connection of the equipment with the plant.
All the components dedicated to the transport and containment of dust are made of AISI 304/316 steel, or in electro-conductive material, with adequate thicknesses. The electrical continuity between the elements of the equipment (elements of the dust transport lines and parts of the equipment) is guaranteed by mechanical metal connections and by additional equipotential connections using jumpers.
Electrical continuity checks between the equipment themselves take on a specific importance, particularly in the passage of product unloading from bags and big bags and loading of the dispersers. Special clamps under continuous monitoring and flexible earthing connections guarantee control.
There is also protection from the entry of foreign elements – which could cause sparks – achieved by means of an electrical absorption indicator. Prevention of the accumulation of substances inside the equipment is instead obtained by means of inclined ducts and inspection doors. In the screw and mechanical conveyors, in addition to the substance in powder form, an inorganic substance is also moved, intended to promote natural cleaning from internal dust deposits and the removal of any residues along the transport circuit.
The equipment is suitable for the transport of powders with an ignition charge ≥1MJ, while for the most critical products, along the transport circuit, it is possible to provide nitrogen blowing points to make the entire line inert.
A series of dedicated control devices supervise the control of the safety operating temperature, avoiding thermal drift phenomena due to excessive heating. The venting of any overpressure is implemented by means of air vent openings.
The evidence of the effectiveness of a production quality management system, legitimized by a prominent notified body, supports IDEALTEC’s commitment to supporting the adoption of measures oriented towards a holistic vision of the sustainability of production processes. In short: safety as a starting point, innovation as a rule.
STATE AID AND DE MINIMIS
Information obligations for public grants.
State aid and de minimis aid received by our company are contained in the National State Aid Register referred to in art. 52 of Law 234/2012 to which reference is made and which can be consulted at the following link: Learn more>>
