Semi-hermetic compressors forexplosion-risk environments

GEA is the first European manufacturer to offer semi-hermetic compressors certified according to ATEX machine category 2 (zone 1+2). In 2014, GEA also included compressors certified according to ATEX machine category 3 (zone 2) in its program. Within the European Union, electrical and mechanical machinery operated in explosive atmospheres must comply with the so-called ATEX (ATmospheres EXplosibles) conditions. All ATEX compressors are also approved for operation with the current hydrocarbons. The models in the HG Series are the basic compressors for ATEX versions.


ATEX CompressorsATEX - General conditions in the EU - protection against explosionsExplosion protection and ATEXAccording to the dictionary, an explosion is a “sudden change in forces based on the expansion efforts of gases and vapours“. Explosions are accompanied by an abrupt and usually simultaneous increase in temperature and pressure. Here it is possible to reach values excee-ding 2000°C and 10 bar. The Professional Association of the Chemical Industry estimates that in Germany alone, altogether three minor to medium explosions occur every day. There is an explosion-risk in nearly all process engineering systems: in the chemical and petrochemical industry, in mining, and in crude oil and natural gas production.In many branches of industry, flammable gases, vapours and mist are generated during manufacturing, processing, transport and storage (e.g. paint shops, refineries, chemicals companies, research establishments, hydrogen production).An explosive atmosphere normally requires oxygen and flammable substances in a certain ratio to each other. All it then needs for an explosion to occur is a corresponding ignition source. Naked flames, hot surfaces and visible electrical or mechanical sparks immediately come to mind.But explosions can also be triggered by static discharge (e.g. even tiny quantities of ignition energy from the clothing worn by workers), electrical equalising currents, ultrasonic sound, electromagnetic radiation, shock waves and adiabatic compression.What is ATEX?The so-called ATEX Directive (ATEX is derived from the French AT-mosphères EXplosibles) was drawn up to create uniform minimum standards throughout Europe. In spite of the 7-year transitional phase, when the Directive became a legal requirement as of 1 July 2003, many were still surprised. ATEX now contains aspects pertaining to dust explosion protection and mechanical explosion protection which were previously neglected in many national regulations. This is why today even non-electric equip