Edition 03/2017

 These expectations are not only caused by the fact that these systems have a key function in the material flow, but are also based on the fact, that the quality of process air is of vital importance. The purity of the conveying air and the final product both influence the quality of pneumatic processes. For manufacturing high-quality products, e.g. in the food industry, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, in parts of the automotive industry, the paper and textile industry, but also in sensitive chemical or petrochemical processes, the purity, safety and reliability are decisive. In this context, AERZEN has developed a new and certified safety standard, especially for the requirements in the pneumatic industry.First of all, the oil-free operation should be mentioned. Not only the contamination of bulk material with oil poses a potential hazard here, the contamination of the installed system may be a risk factor as well. AERZEN, being among the world’s leading manufacturers of positive displacement blowers, rotary lobe compressors and screw compressors, has initiated an extensive certification according to ISO 8573 for all series together with TÜV Rheinland. On that basis, an oil-free operation of class 0 had been confirmed and certified for AERZEN blower and compressor packages.

The AERZEN safety concept goes even further and therefore, the focus is also on the silencer technology. Discharge silencers which are lined with absorption material are still often used for blowers and compressors. However, this insulating material is subject to natural wear. This wear is caused primarily by the high intake temperature of the air and the abrasive wear by the pulsations in the silencer. The absorption material is washed out of the silencer in fine particles and so it gets into the conveying air.As a consequence of this, AERZEN has developed an entirely new silencer technology, which has been successfully patented. The sound level of these reactive silencers is reduced purely by means of air deflection. The advantages are obvious: Process safety and air quality are guaranteed as well as a constant sound pressure level across the entire life cycle, as no wearing material is used. Furthermore, the pressure losses in the silencer had considerably been reduced compared with conventional solutions. The result is increased energy efficiency!

Often overlooked in pneumatic conveying systems is that blowers and compressors may produce sparks in case of malfunction and that, fed into the conveying pipe (pressure conveying), these sparks can ignite dust-air mixtures. The patented silencers made by AERZEN also play an additional key role, as thanks to the internal air deflection, the reactive silencers also serve as spark arresters. An innovative solution, inspected and certified by the TÜV. When using AERZEN blower and compressor packages, external, on-site spark arresters are not needed anymore, offering a great advantage for plant manufacturers and plant operators as well. As besides the ATEX compliant safety, the AERZEN solution saves on investment costs and energy costs sustainably, as pressure losses caused by downstream spark arresters can be prevented.Furthermore, AERZEN offers a solution portfolio for almost all ATEX zones which is unique for a wide range of applications and performances. The AERZEN packages Delta Blower, Delta Screw and Delta Hybrid are tailored specifically to meet the requirements of categories 2 and 3 for dust and gas zones in accordance with the European Machinery Directive 2014/34/EU. Explosion protection for systems in accordance with ATEX directive 137 (1999/9/29 EC) has also been taken into account. The absolutely oil-free air technology, free of absorption material, made by AERZEN guarantees 100% product purity and 100% ATEX safety in pneumatic conveying of bulk material.