Atex extraction system for plastic dust

For more than 40 years, GGE has been designing and building industrial air extraction systems with a focus on safety and efficiency. Our company has developed advanced, customised solutions for numerous industrial sectors, with Atex-certified plants that comply with the strictest European regulations. Our team of experts is committed to ensuring the highest level of protection for companies handling potentially hazardous materials, such as plastic dust, reducing health risks and improving productivity.

Atex-certified plastic dust extraction system

Here we describe an Atex extraction system for plastic dust that we designed and installed at a major company in the province of Reggio Emilia, an international leader in the development of hygiene and personal care products.

The customer’s need was to extract plastic dust generated by the production lines, which could be inhaled by the operators, representing a risk to their health. The required solution had to comply with Atex Ex II 3D certification for Zone 22, ensuring safety in a potentially explosive working environment.

Operation of the extraction and filtration system

The installed system includes two 11 kW DT centrifugal fans, designed to minimise downtime and maintain high productivity. Both fans are located in soundproof boxes lined with sound-absorbing panels, to ensure a quiet and comfortable working environment.

The extracted air is conveyed into a horizontal filtering cartridges dust collector model Finpol HZ, equipped with 8 high-efficiency antistatic cartridges that capture plastic dust. Coarser dusts, on the other hand, are collected in dedicated bins, each equipped with a level indicator that signals when they need to be emptied. Cartridges cleaning is automatic, thanks to a compressed air jet system controlled by a digital control unit.

Security, automated management and Atex compliance

The plant is designed to work safely in Zone 22, according to the Atex Directive 2014/34/EU. The Finpol HZ dust collector is therefore equipped with an indoor venting explosion-proof panel, designed to open in the event of an internal explosion, reducing risks and ensuring the safety of operators.

A further protection system is the explosion isolation valve, which prevents the propagation of explosions along the suction line.

The filtered air exiting the Finpol HZ dust collector is then expelled into the atmosphere through a chimney, which is equipped with a silencer that reduces the noise generated by the air flow.

For the start-up and operation of the plant, we designed an Industry 4.0-compliant control panel with touch screen HMI panel, inverter and PLC. The system is equipped with software for the transmission of data and alarms via the Modbus TCP/IP protocol, enabling efficient and secure plant management.

Contact us for a personalised consultation

If your company, too, needs Atex-certified extraction equipment for the safe handling of plastic dust, contact us today! Our team of experts is at your disposal to offer personalised consulting and design the most suitable solution for your needs.

Request a free consultation and find out how we can help you improve the safety and efficiency of your production.