ATEX Mixing Solutions

Mixing in Hazardous areas

Greaves are experts in the design and manufacture of ATEX mixing systems.

Explosive conditions can occur in a range of situations including:

  • Flammable vapours & gases
  • Aerosol mists
  • Combustible dusts
  • Sparks & frictional heat generation
  • Poor ventilation
  • Inadequate containment
  • Use of inappropriate materials or components
  • Generation of static electricity

Greaves technicians work closely with clients to understand their specific product and process parameters and design safe solutions.

We provide safe mixing solutions to work in ATEX Zones for Gases 0, 1 & 2 and for Dusts 20, 21 & 22.

Complete ATEX certification

ATEX certification means more than just fitting an ATEX-rated motor/gearbox. All components must be compliant and tested.

Greaves’ ATEX certification includes a comprehensive technical systems specification file. This file is lodged with the appropriate notified body and retained on record for a minimum of 10 years

ATEX Rated High Shear Batch Mixer

Active in / Experience in……

  • Volatile Organic Compounds – i.e. VOC’s
  • Alcohols – e.g. Ethanol , Methanol
  • MEK – i.e. Methyl Ethyl Ketone
  • Toluene
  • Acetone
  • Xylene
  • Styrene
  • Methyl acetate
  • Ammonia
  • Organic acids – e.g. Acetic acid
  • Hydrocarbon fuels – e.g. Paraffin, Petrol, Fuel oil
  • Combustible dusts
  • Starch powder
  • Methyl cellulose
  • Carbon black
  • Fertilisers
  • PVC dust
  • Sugar powder

ATEX FAQ’s

  • ATEX (from the French, ‘Atmosphere Explosive’) is the name given to two European Directives which set minimum safety requirements for workplaces and equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
  • ATEX requirements apply to atmospheres that are potentially explosive due to flammable liquid/gases and dusts.
  • The relevant UK regulations that implement these directives in the UK are known as ‘The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations’ 2002 (DSEAR).
  • The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) require employers to assess all potential risks to employees and others whose safety may be affected by the use or presence of a dangerous substance at the workplace, including
    • carrying out a risk assessment identifying sources of explosive atmospheres and suitable control measures.
    • performing Hazardous Area Classification to identify where explosive atmospheres may be present and where ignition sources need to be controlled.
  • Since June 2015 these also cover the risk caused by gases under pressure and substances that are corrosive to metals.
  • If you are unsure how this requirement applies to affects your own processes and applications, get in touch and our technical team will be pleased to advise.
  • Greaves can offer DSEAR assessments and Hazardous Area Classification drawings if required – please contact one of our technical team.
  • A Hazardous Area Classification study will identify any potentially explosive areas and designate these into ‘Zones’ according to the nature and degree of hazard presented by potentially explosive atmospheres.
  • Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) drawings will indicate where these areas are onsite and their extent.
  • Zones 0,1 and 2 relate to explosive risk due to flammable gases and vapours (e.g. arising from solvents). The 0/1/2 designation relates to the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere being present.
  • Zones 20, 21, 22 relate to explosive risk due to combustible dust.
  • If you are unsure, require DSEAR assessments or HAC drawings, get in touch and our technical team will be pleased to offer advice.
  • Any equipment which may present an ignition source and is to be used in a zone needs ATEX / UKEX certification. (UKEX is the UK equivalent of ATEX certification)
  • ATEX / UKEX certification identifies that the equipment is suitable for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere.
  • The equipment should be suitably marked for the Zone in which it is to be used.
  • Companies are legally obliged to eliminate or control the risks from dangerous substances, including the risk of explosions.
  • If companies and their directors fail in this duty they are potentially liable to prosecution.
  • Failure to discharge these responsibilities is also likely to invalidate cover under the company’s insurance policies.
    • The installation of an ATEX/UKEX compliant motor alone is not sufficient to meet ATEX/DSEAR regulations.
      • All associated equipment must be compliant
      • The installation must be in accordance with the stipulations of the certificates.
      • The wider requirements of the regulations (beyond equipment selection) must also be met.
      • “Flameproof” or “explosion proof” are terms often used to indicate the piece of equipment being used has protection method Ex ‘d’.
      • Ex ‘d’ protection is purely mechanical, i.e. based on the strength of the housing and the maintenance of functional flamepaths to avoid flame propagation to the external atmosphere.
      • Ex ‘d’ equipment must be installed with suitably certified glands and correct cabling.
      • Greaves can provide onsite installation and testing if required.
      • Ex ‘e’ means that an enclosure is constructed and certified as Explosion Protected according to the standard for protection through ‘Increased Safety’. (IEC 60079-7).
      • Ex ‘e’ Protection principle ensures that an ignition source cannot arise from sparks, temperature or current creepage and ignite the external flammable atmosphere.
      • Ex ‘e’ equipment must be installed with suitably certified glands and correct cabling.
      • Greaves can provide onsite installation and testing if required.
      • Air drive can provide a convenient and cost-effective solution for ATEX processes where power requirement is low or size and weight are critical factors.
      • Installation of an air-drive motor alone is not sufficient to meet ATEX requirements. ATEX/UKEX certification also extends to non-electrical items such as fans, pumps, and gearboxes.
      • Yes, we supply fully compliant controls and switch gear in partnership with ATEX certified partners
      • This depends on your application and process. Greaves’ technical team can advise on the most appropriate seal and monitoring switchgear for your application.
      • Yes, we provide ATEX certification for the entire system along with certification by our notified body if required by the specified ATEX zone of use.
      • Flammable materials have an ‘auto ignition’ temperature above which they will ignite, even in the absence of a source such as a flame or spark.
      • Temperature class or ‘T-class’ are 6 different classes (T1-T6) which gases / dusts are separated into on the basis of their auto ignition temperature.
      • It is important that the temperature class of the installed equipment is suitable for the ATEX Zone of use – i.e. selected so that it will not expose a flammable mixture to an unsafe temperature.
      • The maximum operating surface temperature of a piece of equipment in a Hazardous area must always be below the ignition temperature of the explosive mixture.
      • Greaves can offer advice if required – please contact one of our technical team.
      • All electrical onsite install must be to BS 7671 18th Edition
      • Any ATEX installations must have an ATEX inspection to IEC 60079-17 by a suitably competent inspector for the relevant Gas or Dust installations.
      • Greaves can provide full electrical & mechanical install if required, complete with ATEX inspections, motor commissioning and transfer certification as well as NICEIC test sheets.
      • Manufacturers of ATEX/UKEX certified equipment for must have technical files lodged with a Notified Body for all ATEX equipment. Equipment used in ATEX Zones 0 and 20 also require independent inspection testing and certification by the Notified Body. Greaves’ Notified Body is UKAS certified and certifies equipment under the EC Pressure Equipment Directive.