A well-known UK bakery appointed VAK Conveying Systems to upgrade its pneumatic conveying system and improve ATEX safety, process control and overall operating efficiency.
Client: Well-known UK bakery
Industry: Food Manufacturing / Bakery
System: Pneumatic flour conveying system
Equipment: AL200 APS rotary valves
Application: Accurate metering & explosion isolation
Compliance: ATEX-safe system upgrade
The problem
The bakery’s existing pneumatic conveying system used non-ATEX rotary valves, creating a need to upgrade the installation to the required safety specification for handling flour and other potentially explosive bulk powders.
Key issues identified:
- Existing rotary valves were not suitable for the required ATEX specification
- Flour dust presented a known explosion risk within the conveying process
- The system required a reliable explosion barrier above and below each valve
- Accurate product metering was needed to improve process efficiency
The upgrade needed to integrate with the existing system without major engineering changes
VAK required a dependable component solution that would improve safety while minimising installation disruption.
Our Approach
Following a technical review of the existing conveying system, VAK selected DMN-WESTINGHOUSE AL200 APS rotary valves to replace the non-ATEX units and bring the installation up to the required specification. VAK engineers completed the upgrade with a smooth, trouble-free installation. No additional engineering modifications were required, helping to keep disruption and downtime to a minimum.
Step 1
System Review & ATEX Assessment
- Reviewed the existing pneumatic conveying arrangement
- Identified the limitations of the installed non-ATEX rotary valves
- Defined the safety, metering and integration requirements for the upgrade
Step 2
quipment Selection
- Selected AL200 APS rotary valves for their ATEX-rated explosion isolation capability
- Confirmed suitability for accurate flour metering and food-industry use
- Worked with DMN-WESTINGHOUSE to ensure the valves matched the required specification
Step 3
Installation & Commissioning
- Removal of the existing non-ATEX rotary valves
- Installation of the AL200 APS replacement units
- Integration with the existing pneumatic conveying system
- Operational checks and recommissioning of the upgraded process
The Results
The completed upgrade delivered immediate safety and operational improvements:
- Improved ATEX safety throughout the conveying system
- Explosion isolation above and below the valves within their ATEX rating
- More accurate product metering
- Improved process efficiency
- Smooth installation with no additional engineering required
The bakery gained a safer, ATEX-compliant conveying system with reliable rotary valves that also enhanced the efficiency of its production process.
Key Benefits for the Client
- Improved protection against flour-dust explosion hazards
- Compliance with the required ATEX system specification
- Accurate and reliable product metering
- Increased process efficiency
- Minimal installation disruption
- High-quality, dependable rotary valve components
Why Specialist Tank Repair Matters
Flour and many other bulk powders can create explosive dust atmospheres. Correctly specified rotary valves can form an important part of the protective system while also controlling material flow through the process.
- Appropriate explosion isolation within the valve’s certified rating
- Safer handling of combustible powders
- Reliable integration with pneumatic conveying equipment
- Improved product dosing and process control
- A practical route to upgrading older non-ATEX installations
Need an ATEX Conveying System Upgrade?
If your pneumatic conveying system handles flour or another combustible powder, VAK Conveying Systems can assess the installation and recommend a safe, practical upgrade strategy.