Caprari Complies Already With the New ATEX Directive

This obliged us to repeat the ”EC type examination” for the K+ series sewage motors with power ratings of up to 32 kW/2 poles (annex III of Directive ATEX 94/9/EC).

The out-sourced Certification body DNV then certified the Caprari Manufacturing System again in relation to “Product Quality Assurance” (annex VII of Directive ATEX 94/9/EC).

Thus Caprari decided to take the opportunity to indicate, in the ATEX conformity certificates, that:

• K+ ATEX electric pumps can be used at an ambient/fluid temperature of up to 60°C after Caprari assessment of the application. Note that the maximum standard operating temperature of K+ ATEX electric pumps is 40°C
• K+ ATEX electric pumps can be controlled by VSD following compliance with the conditions indicated in the operation and maintenance manual.

In the light of recent successes achieved in this sector and to meet market demand, CAPRARI is extending its range by tripling the capacity from 60 to 180 kW on pumps of compact, up to the minute design, also extending the configuration to 60 Hz.

The increase in performance range affords capacity values up to 800 l/s and dynamic head values of up to 65 m.

The new single and double channel hydraulics comply with the requirements of large wastewater treatment plants.

The robust construction of the pumps is achieved by a system at the forefront of design, with generous shaft and electric motor bearing dimensions and the use of new metallurgies (cast iron alloys and cast steel).

The motor is class F with class H double insulation windings and class T4 average temperature: this means ultra-cooled motors (low running temperature) and hence long service life and high energy efficiency.

During the design phase, CAPRARI paid special attention to environmental impact by designing an optimised oil chamber so as to reduce the actual quantity of lubricant and by using both bio-compatible coatings and perfectly recyclable materials.

The sealing mechanism for the automatic BAK coupling systems, which guarantee total freedom from head and liquid losses, has been designed with an innovative profile that ensures optimum efficiency including the most complex start-up transistors typically found in large-scale plants.

The versatility of these models enables installation of these in both tanks and dry rooms, in a vertical or horizontal position, in banks for operation in parallel to achieve modularity in the maximum capacity required, and in series to overcome significant discharge head values with direct re-injection into the pipeline.

The other performance features and standardization of components together with the CAPRARI design philosophy guarantee top level Life Cycle Cost efficiency in this category (low operating and maintenance costs).

The applications and spheres of use are very wide-ranging:

• purification of civil and industrial waste water
• lift in large-scale systems
• supplies of surface water to use for irrigation and industrial water
• disposal of meteoric water from rainwater tanks and “First Rain” tanks and flywheel tanks
• reclamation
• fish farming

There have been no modifications to the construction of the product since the Caprari construction already complied with the provisions established by the new Standards.

The out-sourced body engaged by Caprari for type certification of the sewage motors asked for the electric motors to be subjected to the explosion test again. All the test results were positive, as was expected.

The main changes are:

• identification of the ATEX class of the motor and electric pump: from EEx d IIB T4 to Ex d IIB T4 Gb
• the EC conformity declaration of the product, which includes the references of the new Standards
• besides a description of the aforementioned formal modifications, the operation and maintenance manual also includes important instructions about use with VSD and a temperature of up to 60°C
• motor and electric pump data plates include the aforementioned modifications.

Caprari was one of the first companies to fulfill the obligations established by the new Standards thanks to the commitment of the R&D - Directives, Standards, Patents division, which actively takes part in working tables on these subjects at both the national and international level.