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ATEX protection is all centred around preventing an explosion from happening when there is a presence of combustible dust or flammable gas, this means considering all potential ignition sources. When looking at sources, most people will look for sparks and flames as an obvious risk, but the gas or dust properties themselves are an important aspect to protect against.

One of these properties is their temperature characteristics. Flammable gases have specific ignition temperatures, known as autoignition temperatures. These temperatures represent the minimum temperatures at which a gas mixture will spontaneously ignite in the absence of an external ignition source such as a spark or a flame. As an example, the auto ignition temperature of hydrogen air or hydrogen-oxygen, is from 510 – around 584’C.

Let’s consider the principle of hot surface ignition – lots of processes, such as combustion, will utilise a gases auto ignition temperature to ignite a gas on contact with a hot surface (often a coil, thread, plate etc). This works as the high temperature of the surface transfers heat to the gas, raises the temperature to its auto ignition point, igniting, and sustaining combustion. Great for purposeful processes but when this is not considered when handling potentially hazardous gases, this can be the cause for the explosion.

The principle of hot surface ignition, and the avoidance of auto ignition is handled with surface temperature limitations. ATEX fan selections consider the maximum allowable surface temperature of fan motors that come into contact with these potentially flammable gases and dusts in hazardous ATEX environments. This concept is known as maximum surface temperature. It’s important to note that maximum temperature limitations are not in place primarily for the prevention of hot surface ignition, the main principle is to protect the motor components themselves to ensure their safe operation by preventing excessive heat build-up, but will also prevent the fan and motor from becoming a source of potential ignition by keeping temperatures below any auto ignition temperatures.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the make-up of an industrial fan suitable for potentially hazardous environments, ATEX fans are constructed and classified in two parts, one label that explains the motor classification and protection, and secondly a rating for the overall fan construction including the casing, impeller, and materials. Part of the motor classification shows the end user the maximum surface temperature that the motor is limited to reach to prevent component getting so hot that it initiates the auto-ignition temperature of the surrounding flammable substances.

Your fan supplier should always ask for your hazardous area classification information, this will inform them of the gases or dusts present, their presence to determine the ATEX zone, the temperature limitations that must be considered, the materials required to ensure longevity and safe operation and the level of ATEX protection required from electrical components such as motors. Under DSEAR and ATEX legislation it is the sole responsibility of the end user to conduct or contract a hazardous area classification. Suppliers will not be able to supply equipment for hazardous areas without this information from the end users.

For more information, visit www.axair-fans.co.uk

Designers and manufacturers of polymeric repair and protection systems, Belzona Polymerics Ltd., has announced the promotion of long-serving employee, Mrs Charli Walton (Ge Yu), to its Board of Directors.

Belzona Polymerics Ltd. Board of Directors: (from left to right) Philip Robinson, Neil Robinson, Charli Walton, Jevon Pugh and Jeremie Maillard

Mrs Walton, who in August 2022 was appointed Corporate Development Director (China) onto the Board of Belzona Molecular Technology (Nanjing) Limited, is the first female member of the Board. She has been with Belzona for twelve years, originally joining the Marketing Team in 2011.

Mrs Walton has acquired considerable experience in B2B marketing and will be responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies to consolidate and accelerate Belzona’s growth plans in China. In addition, she will be providing the nexus between the Chinese Company, Chinese Distributors, and Belzona’s various international headquarters.

Commenting on Mrs Walton’s appointment, Mr Barry Nisill, Belzona’s CEO, said: “During Charli’s career with Belzona, she has developed an extensive knowledge which, teamed with her boundless enthusiasm, has seen her become an important member of the Belzona leadership team. On behalf of everyone at Belzona, I would like to congratulate Charli and wish her every success for the future!”

 Mrs Walton said: “It is a great honour to be appointed to the Board of Directors. I would like to thank Belzona for giving me this incredible opportunity, as well as for the extensive investment made into my training and development in preparation for my new role. This includes attendance at the Rising Women Leaders Programme at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.”

She continued: “I am excited to bring my wealth of my experience to my new position within the business, with the aim of driving the growth and success of this amazing Company and its employees.”

Mrs Charli Walton, Corporate Development Director (China)

Mrs Walton’s appointment to the Board is part of the Company’s ongoing investment in its staff members. Indeed, ‘investment’ is one of the three pillars identified in the Company’s new values and mission statement, along with ‘innovation’ and ‘integrity’.

For more information about Belzona, please visit: www.Belzona.com

In industrial settings, laboratories, and workplaces where hazardous airborne particulates pose a significant threat, the importance of efficient air management cannot be overstated. Aerially transported contaminants, such as dust, fumes, and pollutants, can not only compromise the health and safety of workers but also have adverse effects on the environment. To address these challenges, ducting systems emerge as a critical solution, providing various benefits.

From containing contaminants at their source to facilitating proper ventilation and filtration, these systems are indispensable in safeguarding both workers and the environment. By adhering to industry regulations and promoting worker safety, ducting offers a proactive approach to tackling airborne hazards and fostering a healthier work environment.

What is ducting used for?

Ducting, or ductwork, is used for various purposes across different industries and settings. It is a system of channels or conduits designed to convey air, gases, liquids, or other substances from one location to another. Ducting serves several essential functions, including:

1. HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning): Ducting is a fundamental component of HVAC systems. It distributes heated or cooled air throughout buildings and helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate. Air is drawn from rooms, passed through ducts, conditioned (heated or cooled), and delivered back to different areas.

2. Ventilation: Ducting facilitates ventilation in enclosed spaces by extracting stale or polluted air and replacing it with fresh outdoor air. They improve indoor air quality and create a healthier environment for occupants.

3. Exhaust systems: It is used in exhaust systems that remove unwanted air, fumes, or pollutants from industrial processes, laboratories, kitchens, and other areas where airborne contaminants are produced.

4. Dust and particle collection: In industrial settings, ducting is utilised to collect and transport dust, particles, and debris away from workspaces. This helps maintain a cleaner and safer environment for workers and machinery.

5. Filtration: These systems often incorporate filters to trap and remove particulates, allergens, and pollutants from the air.

6. Process piping: In some applications, ducting functions as a tube for transporting gases or liquids during industrial processes.

7. Environmental control: Ducting helps regulate humidity levels in indoor spaces, which is particularly important for environments like data centres and certain manufacturing facilities.

8. Smoke extraction: In the event of fires, ducting can extract smoke and direct it outside, helping occupants evacuate safely and assisting firefighters in managing the situation.

9. Cleanrooms: Ducting is employed in cleanroom environments to maintain controlled and filtered air, ensuring minimal contamination during manufacturing processes or scientific research.

10. Air distribution: It distributes air evenly in large commercial or industrial buildings, ensuring consistent airflow and temperature throughout the space.

Ducting comes in various shapes, sizes, and materials, depending on the specific application and the substance being conveyed.

Examples of hazardous airborne particulates

Hazardous airborne particulates are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air that can pose risks to our health and the environment. These particles can be produced naturally or by various human activities. Some examples include dust, mould, asbestos, lead particles, pollen grains, silica, diesel emissions and smoke particles.

Fine dust consists of tiny particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller. These particles can originate from various sources, such as vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and wildfires.

Mould spores can be found in various indoor environments. Inhaling them can lead to respiratory issues, particularly for individuals with allergies or asthma.

Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in building materials. Disturbance of asbestos can release microscopic fibres that, when breathed in, can cause severe lung diseases.

Lead particles are present in the air around industrial sites or from deteriorating lead-based paint in older buildings. Inhalation of lead particles can aggravate and contribute to neurological and developmental problems.

Pollen grains are released by various plants. They can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

Silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in sand, rocks, and soil. Activities such as construction or mining can disturb silica, generating fine dust that can cause respiratory issues if inhaled.

Diesel exhaust particles are emitted by vehicle engines. They contribute to air pollution and potential respiratory problems.

Finally, smoke generated by wildfires or burning materials (including cigarettes) can release fine particulates that pose health risks when taken in.

Factors that may affect the ducting system's performance

iDuct, a provider of ducting solutions with over 40 years of experience, alerts that several key factors come into play when evaluating a ducting system's capabilities.

One crucial aspect is the choice of material, which should be carefully selected to withstand the corrosive or abrasive nature of different dangerous particulates.

The size and design of the ducts, along with the placement and design of extraction hoods, also play vital roles in ensuring efficient containment and extraction.

Proper sealing of duct joints and connections is essential to prevent leaks and maintain system efficiency. Additionally, airflow velocity, filtration system effectiveness, and precautions against static electricity hazards are critical considerations. Regular cleaning and maintenance, along with monitoring mechanisms, further enhance the system's performance. Understanding and accounting for environmental factors are also necessary for optimal effectiveness.

Addressing these elements creates a safer working environment and mitigates potential risks associated with hazardous particulates.

Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at occupational hygiene and environmental expert Casella, shares his thoughts on how emerging technologies are supporting noise monitoring in the workplace 

Over 170,000 people in the UK suffer from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), tinnitus or other acoustic trauma conditions as a direct result of excessive exposure at work. Eliminating noise at the source is always the first step to reduce the risk of NIHL, and this can be achieved by monitoring to measure noise, obtain concrete data and highlight key areas for change. 

Statistics showing workers suffering noise induced hearing loss could significantly improve if people within organisations had the knowledge and understanding of noise measurements and terminology. Upskilling the workforce could lead to clear improvements in workplace noise levels and most importantly, employee exposure. 

Although sound level meters have been used in the workplace since the 1970s, it was not until 1989 that managing noise exposure in the workplace evolved from guidance to law in the UK. This regulatory change meant that the development of noise monitoring instrumentation was essential to protect worker health and ensure business compliance.   

A sound level meter enables measurements to be taken at the ear with the instrument pointing at the noise source and is an ideal solution if you need to know the overall noise level of a task, piece of machinery or area. Developments in tech mean that Sound Level Meters have become more accurate and compact over time, however as technology continues to progress and new software and hardware becomes available, the next generation of sound level meters contain some exciting advancements.  

New sensor technology such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) is allowing for lower-cost and smaller products to be developed. User expectations are also continuing to shift as mobile, cloud and data-driven technologies develop and become an integral part of modern-day monitoring processes.  

The next generation of Sound Level Meters from Casella feature time history profiling – the Enhanced 620 now stores the time history of how noise levels have varied over a set period. It is beneficial in a noise survey to understand more about the noise climate in areas of a workplace. This can especially be the case if the Meter is left in an area for extended periods of time to understand the variability of the noise, and therefore the tasks that need action when it comes to controlling noise. Time history data can also be of benefit when it is further analysed when downloaded, to perform ‘what if’ calculations on the effect of noise exposure of removing certain activities or noisy events. 

Voice notes are also an innovative addition to Sound Level Meters. Technology can enable voice notes to be added at the start of a noise monitoring run, meaning that notes can be taken to accompany the individual measurement. This easily saves time and effort when performing noise surveys. Voice notes can be played back once the data has been downloaded to a PC so the information can be easily referenced when evaluating noise exposure going forward. 

Looking even further into the future, innovative nanotechnology and nanoparticles may result in the need for new measurement technologies and methodologies that once again transform the instrumentation landscape. Remaining at the core of this development is the ultimate priority for noise monitoring, which is protecting the health and well-being of workers in noise-intense industries.  

Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at Casella    

Tim Turney is Global Marketing Manager at Casella and graduated as an engineer from Queen Mary and Westfield in London. Since starting at Casella in 1998, Tim has been involved in the acoustics and air sampling industry, specializing in measurement and instrumentation technologies.   

These lightweight, functional tops are designed for work in warmer weather and come in a range of over 50 T- and Polo shirt styles.

From the new Khaki to Class 1,2 and 3 High-Vis options, Snickers Workwear has tops and colour choices for those professional tradesmen and women who want to look and stay cool on site this summer.

Look out for the LiteWork tops, all made from a functional and quick-drying polyester fabric that delivers everyday comfort and UPF40+ protection in sunny weather. They also have a bio based anti-odour finish for cool, ventilating comfort when it’s warm on site.

Whatever style option you choose, every Snickers Workwear summer top has a street-smart body-mapping design for a great fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

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Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear clothing range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The forthcoming Euro 7 emission standard will drastically reduce particulate matter levels for all new vehicles - regardless of the type of drive. As a result, brake systems are coming under increasing scrutiny. The solution: brake discs with low-wear hard coatings, because less wear means less particulate matter.

NAGEL is well prepared for this development. All the technologies for the environmentally friendly brake discs of the future are already available at the Nürtingen plant in the form of 2 prototype lines.

These include laser cells for coating using the high-speed LMD process and finishing on high-precision double-sided surface grinding machines. Fine dust emissions are reduced by 80% or more after machining. NAGEL supplies the entire process, i.e. the complete lines for coating and grinding with all peripheral equipment, e.g. for handling the coating powder, for extraction, cooling or rinsing agent preparation.

Also very important: precision systems for continuous quality control. When it comes to measuring, NAGEL can draw on a wealth of experience in fine and ultra-fine machining.

Not all coatings are the same. Different requirements call for individual coating thicknesses, coating compositions and surfaces. NAGEL's process development guarantees the right result for every purpose and can create coating systems on the two existing prototype lines and qualify them together with the customer. Thanks to the in-house development of abrasives, surface topographies can also be achieved in any desired quality.

The customer orientation continues with the automation. NAGEL supplies every conceivable configuration to increase productivity to the desired level, e.g. line linking or industrial robot solutions. Thanks to the modular design, the systems can be scaled very easily and quickly. Machine production, peripheral assembly and customisation are all carried out under one roof at the main factory. Customers receive a complete package "Made in Germany".

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Utilizing HPDI™ Technology to Accelerate the Decarbonization Efforts

of Global OEM Customers

VANCOUVER, BC (July 19, 2023) – Volvo Group (VOLVb.ST) and Westport (TSX: WPRT / Nasdaq: WPRT), a leading supplier of advanced alternative fuel delivery systems and components for the global transportation industry, have signed a non-binding letter of intent to establish a joint venture to accelerate the commercialization and global adoption of Westport’s HPDI™ fuel system technology for long-haul and off-road applications. Volvo and Westport share the vision of creating sustainable transport solutions to accelerate the decarbonization efforts of global trucking, engine, and equipment manufacturers for their customers and society.

Westport’s HPDI fuel system is a high-performance solution supporting significant carbon reductions in hard-to-abate sectors like heavy-duty and off-road mobility. HPDI enables the world’s trucking and off-road equipment manufacturers to address the challenges of meeting the regulatory requirements of Euro 7 and the US EPA while offering end users affordable options that are powered by carbon-neutral fuels like biogas, zero-carbon fuels like green hydrogen and other renewable fuels. While Volvo will be a key customer of the joint venture, the joint venture’s mandate will be to enhance commercialization of HPDI through the addition of new trucking and equipment manufacturers as customers.

Westport will contribute current HPDI assets and activities including related fixed assets, intellectual property, and business into the joint venture. Volvo will acquire a 45% interest in the joint venture for the sum of approximately US$28 million (approximately SEK 300 million), plus up to an additional US$45 million (approximately SEK 500 million) depending on the performance of the joint ventureVolvo’s ambition is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emission-enabled products, solutions, and services by 2040. Volvo believes that the future will demand diverse propulsion solutions for diverse applications to meet customers’ needs and environmental demands. Volvo advocates for a three-pronged approach: battery-electric, fuel-cell electric and internal combustion engines.

 “Decarbonization with internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels, especially with HPDI, plays an important part in sustainable solutions. HPDI has been on the road in Volvo trucks for over five years and is a proven technology that allows customers to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in LBG (liquefied biogas) applications here and now and is a potential avenue for hydrogen,” says Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer of Volvo.

“Westport is advancing fuel system solutions to help our customers affordably address the most pressing challenge of carbon reduction, while continuing to utilize existing manufacturing infrastructure,” said David Johnson, chief executive officer, Westport. “The joint venture with Volvo is a natural extension of both companies’ commitment to accelerating global carbon reduction and we are proud to partner with such a bold supporter of the future of the internal combustion engine. Combining our expertise strengthens HPDI’s position in the market and underscores Westport’s commitment to developing affordable fuel system technology that supports significant CO₂ reductions in hard-to-abate sectors like heavy-duty transport and off-road applications, including a pathway to power equipment with zero carbon fuels like hydrogen.”

Completion of the joint venture is conditional on the successful negotiations and execution of a definitive investment agreement, joint venture agreement, supply

agreement, and development agreement. The joint venture is expected to launch in the first half of 2024. 

For additional information, please visit our HPDI website at https://wfsinc.com/technology/hpdi.