Air aspiration and purification ATEX systems are one of the most important and growing applications of air filtration technologies, and solve a considerable problem in various industrial sectors: that of the risk of explosions. Air filtration is in fact a critical moment, in which various circumstances can combine to significantly increase the risk of a catastrophic explosion within an industrial plant, with serious danger to people and things: this is also because, unlike a fire – which usually gives warnings of the imminence of danger, and allows timely action – an imminent explosion gives no signal until it is too late to intervene

ATEX regulations (abbreviation of ATmosphère EXplosive) are a set of rules and guidelines related to the risk of explosions in industrial environments. They essentially focus on the total elimination of the possibility of triggering an explosion, and therefore on separating the most common type of ignition – electrical sparks – from potentially explosive substances.

Although it may seem improbable, the number of industrial plants at risk of explosion is very high, and is not limited to those handling inherently potentially explosive substances: during all processing operations where large quantities of dust are raised, in fact, there is a risk of explosion.

Dust suspended in the air, especially at high concentrations, becomes explosive: this also extends to substances that are normally completely inert, such as cocoa or flour, and therefore to otherwise unthinkable production sectors. And within these plants, the apparatuses and systems relating to air aspiration and filtration are at particular risk, since in them - and specifically in correspondence with the filters - two very high risk factors combine, namely a strong concentration of very fine dust and a very fast airflow.

ATEX regulations are essentially contained in European Directives 2014/34/EU and 99/92/EC, both aimed at regulating the construction of equipment used in areas where there is a risk of explosion. Also of interest, in this specific case, is the body of NFPA664 standards, which refer to the handling of combustible dusts.

At Bruno Balducci srl we are able to design and develop aspiration and filtration systems fully compliant with EU ATEX regulations, and therefore absolutely safe in terms of this risk profile. ATEX filters and systems are manufactured by placing all electrical circuits and cables outside - where there is no risk of contact with the explosive atmosphere - or by completely switching to a pneumatic activation system. In addition to this, explosion relief devices, such as rupture discs or panels, are installed, which allow any explosion to deflagrate with minimal damage instead of causing a vital part of the system to explode.

An ATEX aspiration system by Bruno Balducci srl is always certified by an authorized body, to which all the relevant control documentation contained in the Technical File is delivered, as per current regulations.