The Yokogawa Rotameter RAMC flowmeter has been certified for use in areas with a risk of gas explosions and dust explosions. The instrument now comes with many Ex certificates that are valid in Europe, America, Australia, China and many other countries.
The explosion protection for dust zones is available for instruments with the “d” type flameproof protection in a robust aluminium housing with the marking II 1D Ex tD A20 IP67 T1-T6 or II 2D Ex tD A21 IP67 T1-T6.
For type “i” intrinsic safety protection with the marking II 2G Ex ia IIC T6 or II 2G Ex ia IIB/IIC T4, the Rotameter RAMC is equipped with a stainless steel housing.
The Rotameter range has been in use in many areas of industry for 100 years and includes designs with glass, plastic and metal measuring tubes. Units are available with mechanical displays and with additional components including transducers and limit switches.
The FMEDA (failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis) assessment of the design, carried out by test house exida(r), permits operation of the RAMC even in safety-relevant systems that have to comply with the requirements for Safety Integrity Level SIL1 or SIL2.
The emphasis on safety in these Yokogawa products reflects the fact that, in all areas of industry, the explosion of combustible dusts presents a risk that is often underestimated. According to estimates by Munich Re, there is a dust explosion in Europe every day. A particular risk potential exists in the fact that even materials that are otherwise considered non-combustible can undergo explosion-like combustion when they are present in the form of a dust-air mixture.
In addition to avoiding gases and dust and raising awareness of risk potential, structural measures and the use of suitable instruments and systems such as the Rotameter RAMC flowmeter are some of the most important safety measures industry can adopt.