ATEX Pumps: Safety in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

The ATEX pumps (acronym for ATmosphere EXplosive) are fundamental for ensuring safety in specific work environments, such as chemical, industrial e pharmaceutical. When working with potentially flammable substances, an explosive mixture can form. If ignited, even by external factors, it can cause dangerous fires or even explosions. 

If you are faced with the so-called “fire triangle” (fuel + oxidant + ignition source), the absence of adequate protective devices can be disastrous for the company, the facilities, and the workers themselves. 

Here's why working with ATEX certified pumps is fundamental to ensure safety in the presence of potentially explosive atmospheres. Almost the entire product range of CDR Pompe It can be used in these types of environments.

ATEX Directives for hazardous environments

The ATEX pumps They therefore become important in environments where there is a risk of explosion caused by even unintentional phenomena. Companies have the obligation to employ all possible means (procedures and equipment) to minimize any type of danger. 

Potentially explosive atmospheres are understood to be a mixture of highly flammable substances (gases or dusts) and oxidizers, such as air, which, in certain concentrations and in the presence of an external ignition source (such as a spark or an overheated surface), can cause fires and explosions.

For this reason, the European Union has issued two directives on occupational health and safety, known as ATEX 2014/34/EU (also ATEX 114) and ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC (also ATEX 153), in the context of risk due to the presence of potentially explosive atmospheres. 

• The Directive ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC establishes the minimum requirements for workplace safety in environments characterized by potentially explosive atmospheres, as well as establishing the criteria by which industrial products and equipment can operate;

• The Directive 2014/34/EU, it is the most recent, coming into force in Italy in 2016. This new regulation imposes mandatory certification for products and systems used in these environments.

ATEX Directives: Area Classification and Temperature 

One of the main tasks of the constructor is to assess the risks arising from working in these potentially explosive atmospheres. Consequently, to adopt measures suitable to ensure the maximum possible safety. 

Dangerous areas

The first step in this case is to classify the risk areas by applying two standards:

• IEC EN 60079-10-1: Explosive atmospheres due to the presence of gas;
• CEI EN 60079-10-2: “Explosive atmospheres due to the presence of combustible dust.

Regarding potentially flammable gases, three different zones are classified, defined Zone 0, Zone 1 e Zone 2:

Zone	Description	Gas Presence
Zone 0	The mixture of air and flammable substances in gaseous form is present for long periods or indefinitely (always present).	For more than 1000 hours per year
Zone 1	The formation of a mixture of air and flammable substances in gaseous form is likely during normal work activities.	From 10 to 1000 hours per year
Zone 2	The formation of a mixture of air and flammable substances in gaseous form is unlikely, or if it were to occur, it would be of very short duration.	Less than 10 hours per year

Data source: ATEX Italy

Speaking of flammable dusts, on the other hand, the classification is divided into Zone 20, Zone 21 e Zone 22:

Zone	Description	Gas Presence
Zone 20	The explosive atmosphere, formed by a cloud of combustible dust in the air, remains permanently or for long periods of time.	For more than 1000 hours per year
Zone 21	The explosive atmosphere, formed by a cloud of combustible dust in the air, occasionally forms during normal operations.	From 10 to 1000 hours per year
Zone 22	The formation of an explosive atmosphere, formed by a cloud of combustible dust in the air, is unlikely. In the event of its formation, it would be short-lived.	Less than 10 hours per year

Data source: ATEX Italia

Dangerous temperatures 

Electrical installations and equipment operating in potentially explosive atmospheres must also be classified according to another parameter: the maximum surface temperature they develop. This is because ignition can also occur through the contact of gas/air with hot surfaces. The material used must always be below the auto-ignition temperature of the explosive agents. 

The classification for the ATEX pumps go from T1 to T6:

Temperature Classification	Maximum appliance surface temperature	Ignition temperature
T1	450°	> 450°C
T2	300°	> 300°C
T3	200°	> 200°C
T4	135°	> 135°C
T5	100°	> 100°C
T6	85°	> 85°C

Data source: ATEX Italia

CDR pumps for ATEX environments

The CDR pumps can be custom-made to the specific needs of the client, and are designed to work extremely safely in environments with potentially explosive atmospheres according to precise parameters. Almost our entire range of industrial pumps are highly functional and safe in zone 1 and 2 of the ATEX directive, and are also rigorously tested and controlled to fall within temperature classes ranging from T2 to T6 inclusive. 

Furthermore, CDR meets the requirements with both magnetically coupled pumps and magnetically sealed pumps. 

UTS: Stainless steel top-of-the-line process pump with closed impeller

L’UTS magnetic drive It is our flagship steel process pump with a closed impeller, suitable for ATEX environments. Top of the line in the CDR range, it is perfect for various fields of application, especially for continuous 24/7 use. 

This type of ATEX pumps are suitable for handling toxic, flammable, and hazardous liquids. Thanks to internal European certification, they are also perfect pumps for handling non-conductive liquids. 

With an allowable temperature range from -140°C to +300°C, these types of pumps have numerous applications, such as distillation, basic chemistry and fine chemistry processes, temperature control, and tank loading/unloading.

ATEX Pumps for Special Applications: the XTS and XTN Series 

XTS – B: Steel magnetic drive pump with open impeller 

The XTS Pump – B It represents the ideal solution in case of suspended solids. In fact, this series of pumps is suitable for applications with corrosive, toxic, or dangerous liquids, where the presence of a considerable number of solids would clog a standard magnetic drive pump. 

These ATEX pumps are certified according to European regulations to work in Zone 1 indoor and outdoor. They also guarantee zero emissions and very low maintenance costs. 

The XTS–B pump is ideal for a variety of applications, such as:

• Fine Chemicals Services
• Basic Chemistry Services
• Pharmaceutical Industries (APIs)
• Reactor Process Solution Transfer

XTN-BL – Magnetic-drive centrifugal pump with open impeller 

This is another top-of-the-line pump from CDR. Here too, the XTN – BL Pump It is suitable for working with corrosive, toxic, and hazardous liquids and is a better choice than traditional magnetic drive pumps.

With an admissible temperature reaching up to 160°C, it complies with ATEX regulations for indoor and outdoor Zone 1.

The wide internal flow channels ensure fluid passage even with a high presence of solid particles. The internal rotating shaft, made of stainless steel, has no welds or joints. This guarantees continuous recirculation of the pumped liquid between the impeller and the casing. 

At CDR Pompe, we are Italian and international leaders in the process pump industry and service, magnetic drive and mechanical seal centrifuges. Our business extends to 50 countries through a network of experts and trusted partners. Whatever your needs, we'll find the perfect solution thanks to our sales team. Contact us And together we'll find the pump that's right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ATEX pumps and when is it mandatory to use them in a plant?

ATEX pumps are pumps certified to operate in potentially explosive atmospheres, that is, mixtures of flammable gases or dust with a combustible agent such as air. They are used in chemical, industrial, and pharmaceutical environments, where a spark or too hot surface can trigger fires or explosions. Directive 2014/34/EU mandates the certification of products and systems used in these environments.

What are the European ATEX directives and what is the difference between 2014/34/EU and 1999/92/EC?

There are two directives: 1999/92/CE (ATEX 153) establishes the minimum safety requirements for work in atmospheres with the potential for explosion; 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114) is the most recent, in force in Italy since 2016, and requires the certification of products and systems used in these areas.

What is the difference between Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 in the ATEX classification for gases?

The difference depends on the number of annual hours during which the explosive mixture of gas and air is present. In Zone 0 it exceeds 1000 hours per year and is almost permanent. In Zone 1 it ranges from 10 to 1000 hours and is likely during normal activities. In Zone 2 it is unlikely and lasts less than 10 hours. For dust, the Zones 20, 21 and 22 are used.

What do the temperature classes from T1 to T6 mean for an ATEX pump?

The classes from T1 to T6 indicate the maximum surface temperature that the device can reach, which must remain below the ignition temperature of the explosive substance. T1 reaches 450°C, T2 at 300°C, T3 at 200°C, T4 at 135°C, T5 at 100°C and T6 at 85°C. The higher the class, the lower the permissible temperature.

Which ATEX pumps CDR Pompe are suitable for liquids with suspended solids?

For liquids with suspended solids, it CDR Pompe offers the magnetic drive pumps impeller open-type XTS-B and XTN-BL models, certified ATEX for Zone 1 interior and exterior applications. The XTN-BL reaches 160°C and has wide flow channels and an INOX shaft without welds. The XTS-B guarantees zero emissions and low maintenance costs.

The UTS pump magnetic drive from CDR is suitable for ATEX environments and at what temperatures does it operate?

Yes, the UTS is CDR’s leading process pump in steel, with a impeller closed and open design magnetic drive, suitable for ATEX environments and continuous use H24. It operates from -140°C to +300°C and moves toxic, flammable, hazardous and non-conductive liquids. It is used in distillation, basic and fine chemical processing, thermoregulation and tank loading/unloading.