How Weighing Equipment Helps in Potentially Explosive Environments

In the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries, there is often an invisible danger in the air — gases and dusts. They are constant companions which, in combination with a single ignition spark, can trigger a catastrophe.

In industrial production facilities where chemicals are used, conditions often prevail where flammable gases such as methane, propane or hydrogen are present in the air. These gases can be ignited by a tiny spark and lead to a catastrophic explosion that can endanger human life and production structures. Dust particles that can accumulate in the air are also extremely dangerous. Powdery substances in particular, such as flour, sugar or wood dust, can spread in the air and react explosively on contact with an ignition source.

Potentially explosive atmospheres are divided into zones depending on the probability of an explosive atmosphere occurring and the explosive substances present. In zone 0 or 20, there is a constant danger due to high concentrations of gases, dusts, vapors or mists. Zone 1 or 21 has a probable but not constant hazard in the vicinity of zone 0. In zone 2 or 22, there is a rare and short-term hazard at a greater distance from the source. This classification is based on international standards such as the ATEX directive for Europe and IECEx certification for the rest of the world. Zones 0, 1 and 2 refer to gases and, in contrast, zones 20, 21 and 22 apply to dust.

"Given these potentially lethal hazards, it is vital that all equipment and instruments used in these potentially explosive environments meet the strictest safety standards," said Lena-Marie Fornika, global product manager at Minebea Intec.

Minebea Intec offers a wide range of load cells, industrial scales and weighing indicators that have been specially developed for use in hazardous areas. These products not only offer the highest levels of safety, but also precision and efficiency, which are essential for industrial applications. "In hazardous environments, choosing the right weighing and control technology is crucial to ensure maximum productivity and accuracy," says Lena-Marie Fornika. "We support our customers throughout the entire planning process and offer them tailor-made solutions that meet their Ex requirements."

The Solutions

Floor and bench scales Combics and Midrics, as well as the IF floor scale from Minebea Intec, offer many advantages for hazardous areas. The industrial scales in the Combics  series are certified to ATEX, IECEx, and FM, and ensure compliance with Ex requirements. They offer high accuracy, a user-friendly interface and various weighing units.

The IF flat-bed scale was developed for use close to the floor in harsh industrial environments. It is a high-quality, flexible and mobile weighing station

The industrial scales in the Midrics series offer similar benefits, but in a more compact design. They are also approved for use in hazardous areas and offer high accuracy and reliability. The IF floor scales are ideal for applications with heavy loads and are even suitable for use in Zone 2/22. Overall, these scales offer the ideal combination of safety, precision and user-friendliness for use in hazardous areas.

Switch on, weigh, done: The Midrics 1 Ex weighing indicator is self-explanatory to operate and, thanks to ATEX approval, can also be used in potentially explosive areas.

Case Study

The example of Avio, a leading Italian manufacturer of aerospace fuels, illustrates how customers can benefit from these Ex-certified industrial scales.

The company needed to adapt its equipment to the ATEX directives after internal audits revealed that the current instruments no longer complied with the updated regulations. Avio sought quotes from various suppliers and then chose an ATEX Zone 1 weighing solution from Minebea Intec, which provided a complete solution, including ATEX-certified equipment and customized software.

The solution comprised two Combics weighing platforms with resolutions of 15,000 d and 30,000 d and weighing ranges of 3,000 kg/200 g and 60 kg/2 g, a Maxxis 5 programmable weighing controller and PR 5110 remote displays. Minebea Intec's engineering support team developed a software solution for recipe management and also installed a control cabinet with intrinsically safe interfaces for secure data transmission. The solution not only complied with health and safety guidelines, but also optimized the efficiency of Avio's dosing system.

Minebea Intec recently launched the Midrics 1 Ex weighing indicator. The safe weighing indicator Midrics 1 Ex is suitable for various applications such as counting, inspection, or pre-packaging control. It is an ideal choice for quality managers, machine builders, and technical engineers looking for a durable indicator solution for hazardous areas.