The ATEX Directive applies to a wide range of sectors, including the chemical industry, the petrochemical industry, pharmaceuticals, gas stations, agricultural facilities, among other sectors.
Each industrial sector has its own particularities regarding ATEX impact.
In the chemical industry sector, flammable gases, liquids and solids are transformed and used in a multitude of processes.
In these processes, explosive mixtures can form. For example: Sulfur production and handling plants, Work, handling and storage areas, places where volatile flammable liquids are transferred from one container to another, Premises with open or openable flammable liquid tanks, Pump or compressor rooms for flammable gases or liquids, Facilities where flammable gases are produced, handled, stored or consumed.
In the food industry sector, the transport and storage of flour, grains and derivatives can generate explosive dusts.
If these are sucked in and separated in filters, an explosive atmosphere may appear in the filter.
For example: Fat and oil extraction facilities that use flammable solvents, Material dryers with flammable solvents, Work, handling and storage areas, Among combustible dusts we have flour and derivatives, starch, sugar, cocoa, milk and egg powder, spices, etc., Bread flour factories, Manufacture of bread and bakery products.
In the pharmaceutical industry, alcohols are often used as solvents. Solid active substances and explosive auxiliaries can also be used, for example lactose, vitamins, paracetamol, etc. Work, handling and storage areas.
On some agricultural farms, biogas generation facilities are used. In the event of leaks, explosive biogas/air mixtures may form. Forage dehydrators, almond hullers and other similar installations generate explosive atmospheres. Storage and use of fertilizers (Ammonium Nitrate).
The treatment of recyclable waste may entail risks of explosion due to containers that have not been completely emptied of their content of flammable gases or liquids or due to paper powders or plastic materials.
The digestion gases generated in the treatment of wastewater in treatment plants can form explosive gas/air mixtures. Dried sludge is also explosive.
The spray mist formed when glazing surfaces with paint guns in coating booths, as well as the solvent vapors released, can cause an explosive atmosphere in contact with air. Powdery pigments can be very explosive. For example in areas inside paint booths with spray guns and their immediate surroundings.
Gasoline and diesel are flammable liquids that can potentially generate explosive atmospheres. To prevent the ignition of an explosive atmosphere in a gas station, we can act on different ignition sources, for example: electrical installation and equipment, grounding in transfers or maintenance and repair tasks.
Normally the quantities of flammable products are small and confinement and ventilation make classification unnecessary. However, in general, the possibility of the formation of explosive atmospheres must be analyzed if there are significant quantities of flammable materials.
The hydrocarbons handled in refineries are all flammable and, depending on their flash point, they can cause explosive atmospheres even at room temperature. The surroundings of oil transformation equipment are almost always considered areas at risk of explosion.
These are areas where Explosive Atmospheres can be generated: Places where flammable volatile liquids are transferred from one container to another; Premises with open or openable flammable liquid tanks; Pump or compressor rooms for flammable gases or liquids; Facilities where flammable gases are handled, stored or consumed.
Explosive Atmospheres can be generated: Manufacture of compound feed; Preparation of vitamin-mineral correctors; Silos for grain storage. Among the combustible dusts we have cereals, grains and derivatives, starch, hay; Cereal dryer and alfalfa dehydrators.
When working with wooden parts, wood dust is generated that can form explosive dust/air mixtures in filters or silos.
Likewise, sawmills and pulp and paper manufacturing industries pose risks.
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