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Explosion-Proof Vacuum Targets Combustible Dust

Monday, February 20, 2012

More items for Environmental Controls

Nilfisk CFM has expanded its line of combustible dust vacuums with the new Nilfisk CFM 118/50EXP, designed to collect dry dust and debris in manufacturing facilities.

The 118EX is designed for dry dust and debris.

The single-phase electric vacuum cleaner is CSA-certified explosion-proof and dust ignition-proof for use in Class I (Group D) and Class II (Groups E, F, G) environments.

Features and Specifications

Completely grounded, composed of non-sparking 304 stainless steel, and equipped with conductive hose and accessories to eliminate percussion arcing and static charge, the 118/50EXP is “constructed to the highest level of operational safety,” the manufacturer says.

The unit features:

• 13.2-gallon collection container designed for easy removal, lifting, carrying and emptying;

• An antistatic filter with a large surface area for high filtration efficiency and prevention of premature clogging;

• A downstream HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of debris, down to and including 0.3 microns; and

• Optional upstream HEPA/ULPA filtration.

Nilfisk CFM also manufactures the 118EXP, a smaller, dry-only unit; and the 118EXPW, a wet/dry unit. The company also offers a pneumatic line of hazardous location vacuums.

Combustible Dust Hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists well over 100 materials, from powdered milk to vinyl chloride, that could become combustible dust in plants that process them. OSHA estimates that 30,000 U.S. facilities are at risk for combustible dust explosion.

US Chemical Safety Board

In 2003, three major industrial explosions involving combustible powders claimed 14 lives in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Indiana.

In 2008, OSHA launched a combustible dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) that offers guidelines for controlling combustible dust in manufacturing facilities.

Based in Morgantown, PA, Nilfisk Industrial Vacuum Division (also known as Nilfisk-Advance America, Inc.) is one of the largest providers of cleaning equipment in North America.

More information: http://www.NilfiskIndustrialVacuums.com or http://www.youtube.com/user/NilfiskVacuums.