Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum reports that it has expanded the area of application for Roots vacuum pumps from the RUVAC series to include explosion hazard areas. The rugged and reliable Roots vacuum pumps have been marketed for many years as ATEX Category 3 equipment for deployment in Zone 2 inside and outside and have now been also qualified as ATEX Category 2 equipment for deployment in Zone 1 inside and outside.
Whereas when deployed in Zone 2 the probability of the occurrence of an ignitable mixture during normal operation is very low and the duration only short, such an occurrence in Zone 1 needs to be expected during normal operation with a certain probability. RUVAC Roots vacuum pumps belonging to ATEX Category 2 have therefore been designed inside and outside such that they ensure an increased level of safety. This of course requires that they be operated in agreement with the parameters stated by the manufacturer.
The Roots vacuum pumps RUVAC WA 251, RUVAC WA 501, RUVAC WA 1001 and RUVAC WA 2001 operate in the pumping speed range of 250 to 2000m3/h and are equipped with a temperature sensor which measures the gas temperature at the hottest point of the pump. Through this sensor the pump is shut down as soon as the approved temperature range is exceeded.
All RUVAC WA models can be equipped with motors rated for different voltages (400V or 500V, for example) as typically used throughout the industry. Operation in the frequency range from 30Hz to 60Hz is possible. The ATEX Roots vacuum pumps are air-cooled thereby reducing the operating cost compared to water-cooled pumps.
