Abstract
The avoidance of effective ignition sources is one essential measure in explosion prevention and protection following the zone classification of hazardous areas.
Because dust filters are not necessarily ‘equipment’ according to the ATEX-directive 2014/34/EU (former 94/9/EU, ATEX 95,…) it is in the responsibility of the plant manager / plant operator to assess the explosion hazards due to the handling of combustible dusts especially using dust filters.
In the paper a dust filter is described which is designed for the handling of combustible dusts with an explosion prevention concept based on the avoidance of potential ignition sources. Great importance is attached to the assessment of the different types of filtering systems (cartridges, cassettes, hoses, etc.) and filter media, e.g. different types of conductive cloths, which often contain “hidden” electrostatic ignition hazards appearing not until the system has been run for a certain time.
The potential ignition sources - especially those related to electrostatics - are discussed in detail and measures are presented to prevent malfunction and to maintain the initially safe status of the filter system over its whole lifetime.
