ATEX pneumatic actuators: power and response mixed

At HazardEx, Festo will show a comprehensive range of ATEX-certified pneumatic actuators for controlling valves in processing applications

At HazardEx, Festo will show a comprehensive range of ATEX-certified pneumatic actuators for controlling valves in processing applications.

These high performance actuators provide a highly robust and maintenance-free control solution compared with electrical drives, and require virtually no operational monitoring.

They are particularly cost-effective for processes covering large physical areas or valves sited in remote locations.

The pneumatic actuators complement Festo's existing rich choice of ATEX-certified pneumatic cylinders and valves, and include three new families suitable for driving butterfly, ball and gate valves.

Configuration choices include single- or double-action, fixed quarter-turn actuators with torque ratings up to 8,800 Nm.

Each actuator can be set for clockwise or anticlockwise rotation, and is suitable for local on-the-spot operation, or automatic operation.

When used with an electro-pneumatic controller, speed and position can also be controlled.

A wide range of ATEX compliant accessories such as position feedback sensors are available and are quickly and easily attached.

"Pneumatic components offer some very significant advantages for processing applications compared with electrical drives," says the Festo Process Industry Consultant, Dave Bolwell.

"They are much lower cost to both purchase and run, and they offer the highly desirable attribute of overload tolerance - if a valve becomes stuck, no motor will burn out.

They really represent an ultimate in reliability, and merit serious consideration - especially wherever there's new plant construction or major upgrades".

The pneumatic actuator range has already been field proven on mainland Europe, in projects undertaken by the Festo GB parent, and Bolwell can cite examples in water and waste processing, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and process industries where the cost effectiveness and reliability of the technology is paying dividends.

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