Professional Documents
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Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
1. Introduction
1.1 Object of the zone classification
Zone classification is needed where explosive atmospheres may be present in order to
minimized explosion risks based on the correct equipment categories being used or
installed in these hazardous areas.
The responsibility for the required plant zone classification rests primarily with the plant
owner because the obligation is rooted in workplace legislation.
In order to facilitate this task, FLSmidth has elaborated this generic zone classification
which can be tailored to a specific plant/project, based on available customer input
and/or FLSmidth default values.
1.2 Explosion risks
Fire and explosion hazards/risks are closely related, but while fire hazards require the
simultaneous presence of the first three (the fire triangle) of the following elements,
explosion hazards require the simultaneous presence of all five elements (the explosion
pentagon):
Several areas on cement plants, e.g. the firing systems, entail explosion risks due to
the possible presence of flammable dust, gas, oil, vapour or mist, sufficiently mixed
with air (oxygen) to form an explosive mixture ready to react violently by ignition
sources, such as sparks.
An area (volume) in which explosive mixtures is or may be expected to be present
requiring special precautions, is named a hazardous area which must be zone
classified in order to minimize explosion risks.
1.3 EU regulatory approach
Explosion risks are regulated in EU by the ATEX directives:
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Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
The zone classification must take into consideration the type of explosive mixture and
the likelihood of its occurrence according to the following zone definitions:
Zone
Zone 0
Definition
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a
mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long
periods or frequently
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a
mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation
occasionally.
A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a
mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of
gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal
operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period
only.
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a
cloud of combustible dust in air presents continuously, or for
long periods or frequently
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a
cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal
operation occasionally
A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a
cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in
normal operations but if it does occur, will persist for a short
period only
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 20
Zone 21
Zone 22
The following (universal) guideline can be used at the zone classification task
concerning the duration (t) of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere:
Zone
Zone 0 and 20
Zone 1 and 21
Zone 2 and 22
Guideline
t > 1000 hours/year or t > 1 hour/shift
10 < t < 1000 hours/year
1 < t < 10 hours/year and t < 1 min/shift
Note: The zone classification takes into consideration the type of explosive mixture
and the likelihood of its occurrence (determined by the frequency and duration of its
occurrence, which outside equipment is influenced by the degree of ventilation of the
area). The zone classification does not include considerations regarding the presence of
possible ignition sources and the consequences of an explosion.
Regarding releases of flammable dust, gas, vapour or liquid from a point source into
the atmosphere (for example through vents and failure leaks), and closely connected
to the zone classification conception, one finds the Grade of release (which is not
influenced by the degree of ventilation) definition:
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
3/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
Grade
Continuous
grade of release
Primary grade of
release
Secondary grade
of release
Definition
A release that is continuous or nearly
so, or that occurs frequently and for
short periods
A release that is likely to occur
periodically or occasionally in normal
operation, i.e. an anticipated release
A release that is unlikely in normal
operation and, in any event, only
infrequently and for short periods
Guideline
(hours/year)
t > 1000
10 < t < 1000
1 < t < 10
Provided, the equipment is suitable for gases, vapours or mist and/or dust, as
appropriate (indicated by "G" or "D").
Note: Zone classification is only one part of the obligatory (workplace) explosion risk
assessment, which also includes the likelihood of ignition sources to be present and the
anticipated effects caused by an explosion. Above-mentioned combinations of zone
types and equipment categories may therefore be deviated when determined by the
actual risk assessment.
The zone representation on drawing makes use of the symbols shown on the next
page.
Although not of any special relevance concerning coal dust, the gas (gases, vapours or
mists) zones 0, 1 and 2 are included here for the sake of completeness.
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
4/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
Key to symbols
Dust zones
Zone 20
Zone 21
Zone 22
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
5/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
Alarm
Mill cut-out
O2
(% by volume on wet basis)
Lignite
Coal
10
8
12
10
Areas where it is not possible to avoid the occurrence of an explosive coal dust
atmosphere (defined as hazardous areas) must, as mentioned above, be zone
classified, and the avoidance of possible ignition sources must have first priority for the
elimination of explosion risks.
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
6/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
7/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
50068905 ver.1.0
Plant:
Table I:
Explosibility parameters of coal dust and FLSmidth default values for
LEL and UEL
1
No.
2
Flammable
material
3
Volatility
4
Kst
5
Pmax
6
LEL
Name
vol. %
bar x
m/s
bar
g/m3
36 < VC
150
9.3
30
7
UEL
8
Dust
cloud
Ignition
Tig
C
9
Dust
layer
Ignition
Tig,layer
C
2000
440
230
g/m3
Lignite
High
volatile
bituminous
coal
26 < VC
36
120
9.3
30
2000
550
240
Low volatile
bituminous
coal
11 < VC
26
90
8.6
30
2000
600
260
Pet coke
8 < VC 11
60
6.9
30
2000
690
280
Anthracite
VC 8
0.6
30
2000
700
340
Kst
10
Any other
information or
remarks
Pmax
Max explosion pressure
LEL
Lower explosive limit
UEL
Upper explosive limit
Tig
Minimum dust cloud ignition temperature
Tig,layer Minimum dust layer (5 mm) ignition temperature
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
8/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
9/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
Explanation
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
See notes
See notes
Coarse and humid dust load below LEL
Coarse and humid dust load below LEL
Coarse and humid dust load below LEL
Pdes = 3.5 bar
21
NC
N/A
Separator RTKA
21
NC
N/A
21
22
NC
NC
22
NC
N/A
2
N/A
NC
NC
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
dust.
dust.
dust.
dust.
dust.
dust.
Dust
Dust
Dust
Dust
Dust
Dust
load
load
load
load
load
load
below
below
below
below
below
below
LEL
LEL
LEL
LEL
LEL
LEL
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
10/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
22
NC
N/A
21
NC
N/A
Explanation
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
11/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
Explanation
22
NC
NC
NC
N/A
21
21
22
NC
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
N/A
22
22
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
Stack
22
NC
N/A
22
NC
N/A
A cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if
it does occur, will persist for a short period only. Zone 22 during bag failure only
Pdes = 0.2 bar
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
12/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
22
NC
22
NC
N/A
22
NC
N/A
22
NC
N/A
22
NC
N/A
21
NC
N/A
21
NC
N/A
Explanation
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 2 bar
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 2 bar
Dust load is above UEL in normal operation. No turbulence due to low peripheral
velocity.
Pdes = 2 bar
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 2 bar
Pdes = 10 bar
Dust load 4 kg/kg air is above UEL in pipeline
Pdes = 10 bar
Dust load 4 kg/kg air is above UEL
Pdes = 10 bar
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
13/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
21
NC
NC
NC
N/A
NC
NC
N/A
NC
NC
N/A
22
NC
N/A
Explanation
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 10 bar
Pdes = 10 bar
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
14/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
20
NC
20
NC
N/A
NC
NC
N/A
NC
22
NC
NC
N/A
N/A
22
NC
N/A
Explanation
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
15/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Prehopper (Pfister)
20
NC
20
21
NC
NC
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
N/A
N/A
Explanation
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 10 bar
Pdes = 10 bar
Dust load 4 kg/kg air is above UEL
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 10 bar
See note 1 and 5
Placed in a room separated from the dust handling
Placed in a room separated from the dust handling
Pdes = 10 bar
Restricted access in flame reach area during operation
Pressure relieved
16/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Installation
Internal
zone
External
zone
Extent of
external
zone
m
N/A
NC
Kiln burner
NC
N/A
Calciner burner
NC
N/A
Explanation
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Pdes = 10? Bar,
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
Regarding internal zone classification: The product is not covered by ATEX as the
product is not
a) a equipment, as defined in Article 1.3.(a); or
b) a protective system, as defined in Article 1.3.(b); or
c) a component, as defined in Article 1.3.(c); or
d) a safety, controlling or regulating device as defined in Article 1.2.
See note 1 and 5
See note 1 and 5
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
17/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Flow diagram
Note: Actual equipment configuration can deviate from the diagrams.
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
18/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
19/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
20/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Outline drawings
ATOX coal mill reject box
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
21/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Container
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
22/23
Zone classification
Doc. No.
500xxxxx
Plant:
None
Plant department
211.Coal intake
421.Preheater
441.Cooler
Drawings
13079942
13079943
13079945
13079939
13079940
13080387
50062849 (legend)
13082729
10365974
13082731
13082732
13082733
13082734
13082735
13082736
13082737
13082738
13082739
13082740
13082741
13084179
10365976
10345561
Error! Unknown document property name. (legend)
13077341
13078616
The information transmitted by this document is the proprietary and confidential property of FLSmidth
and may not be duplicated, disclosed or utilized without written consent from FLSmidth.
23/23