Two stage RV pump approved to ATEX standards

Leading vacuum equipment manufacturer Edwards has launched a new range of ATEX-compliant Rotary Vane (RV) pumps for use in potentially explosive environments

The ATEX-approved RV range, which has been developed in response to increasing customer demand, allows operators to comply with the European ATEX Directive.

The RV range of dual mode rotary vane pumps are designed for applications that require either high throughputs or high ultimate vacuum.

These pumps can be configured by the user to obtain optimum pumping performance without compromising the application, offering a high ultimate vacuum down to 2 x 10e-3 mbar in high vacuum mode and 3 x 10e-2 mbar in high throughput mode.

These new RV pumps are available with ATEX approved (flameproof) motors with external ATEX ratings of II 2 G IIB T4 and II 2 G IIC T4 so can operate safely in environments where the gas has an auto-ignition temperature greater than 135C and with gas groups IIB or IIC.

The internal ATEX rating is II 3 G c IIB T4 where category 3 is considered appropriate for the avoidance of internal ignition.

These pumps can operate in a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of air with dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, can do so occasionally.

"Our RV pumps provide ignition protection by construction, and by combining them with flameproof motors we are able to extend their range of applications to include hazardous environments," says David Goodwin, product group manager, Edwards: "Offering ATEX compliance in standard products in this range means customers can order directly from our catalogue".

In high vacuum mode, the RV pumps are ideal for analytical instruments, electron microscopes, physics research, backing turbo pumps, TV tube pumping and leak detection applications.

In the high throughput mode, they are suitable for distillation, laboratory furnaces, backing vapour pumps, solvent concentration, freeze drying and other drying applications.

The RV range of pumps can be ordered directly from the Edwards catalogue, with external ATEX compliance rating for the motor signified by an A code number.

Back to top