Common Applications in Hazardous Environments for Actuators
General Hazardous Areas: Explosion-proof electric actuators can be equipped with motors, (UL, ATEX or IECEx certified), to manage emergency shutdowns and provide safe operation in routine flow control. This can be for linear and rotary actuator packages
Oil and Gas Industry: Mainly Rotary Actuators for automating quarter-turn, ball, butterfly, and plug valves on pipelines, offshore platforms, and in refineries.
Chemical Plant Processes: Linear Actuators in reactors, mixing systems, and ventilation control, handling, or processing flammable or toxic substances where fail-safe positioning is necessary.
Pharmaceutical: Applied in sterile environments for dosing and precise control of fluid handling equipment, reactors, and mixers where combustible dust or solvents exist.
Mining and Minerals: Commonly, linear actuators used for operating ventilation dampers, machinery, and material handling systems in environments where methane gas or coal dust is present.
Power Generation: Control of combustion, steam, and flue gas in power stations, utilizing linear actuators.
Wastewater Treatment: Management of clarifiers, digesters and air strippers in environments containing methane or sewer gas.
Agricultural and Fertilizer Processing: Addressing combustible dust areas of grain, flour, and sugar in silos and mills, along with gases such as methane in manure pits, etc.
RACO "MA" Actuator with Explosion Proof Motor
Why Are RACO Electric Actuators suitable for Hazardous Environments?
RACO can provide Explosion-proof electric motors and intrinsically safe connections for actuators to operate in hazardous environments which may include flammable gases, vapors, or dust. They feature rugged, sealed enclosures that prevent internal sparks from igniting the surrounding atmosphere.
Hydraulic actuator technology in hazardous areas is becoming less practical. Hydraulic packages require many components, thus will need further maintenance and are subject to oil leaks, which makes them environmentally unfriendly and less safe for these types of applications. Mineral-oil based hydraulic fluids are especially flammable whenever there is a high pressure leak and the oil mist, which contains oxygen, ignites and burns quickly. RACO Electric actuators offer many other advantages over hydraulic, and even pneumatic actuator systems.
Key Explosion Proof Motor and Actuator Features are:
RACO Electric Actuator Advantages: