Abstract Title: | IECex regulations and ATEX directives – Certified explosion protection for analytical equipment for hydrocarbons and TOC in refineries and petrochemical plants |
Abstract Type: | Oral |
Session Choice: | Online & Process Monitoring |
Presenter Name: | Mr Frank Zorn |
Co-authors: | Mr Oliver Rothe |
Company/Organisation: | LAR Process Analysers AG |
Country: | Germany |
Abstract Information :
Total Organic Carbon analysers are commonly used to measure the level of organic contamination
in water (steam/ return condensate, boiler feed water, cooling water, waste water). Online TOC analysers
installed in refineries and petrochemical plants are located right in the middle of the
process facilities. Here, incidentally, explosive gasses,vapours or mist can be present. Equipment
installed and operated under hazardous or potentially explosive conditions must be especially
designed and built to be used in this classified zone and thererfor must be certified by a notified
body.
The zone classification depends on the type of flammable substances (gas, vapour, mist, cloud of
combustible dust) and the chance that they can be present. The International Electrotechnical
Commission IEC has implemented the international standard IEC 600079-2 (adopted by EN 60079-
2:2011-1) classifying hazardous areas. This is the basis of the most common regulations, the ATEX
directives (ATEX 95, ATEX 137) implemented by the European Union. These include the
requirements for explosion-proof equipment and protective systems as well as their operation in
hazardous and potentially explosive areas.
The IECex regulations promote mutual acceptance of evaluations and define a system to classify
locations with potentially explosive atmospheres. Global harmonization of codes governing the use
of electronical instruments in hazardous locations is of growing importance.
This lecture will deal with the different approaches and compliances of IECex and ATEX
regulations and will refer to operational experiences with ex-proof analytical equipment installed in
refineries and petrochemical plants.