Cost-effective upgrade programme ensures DSEAR regulatory compliance for LPG Filling Systems
Weightron Bilanciai have successfully installed and commissioned a fully refurbished propane gas filling station for a leading UK supplier of bulk and bottled LPG to domestic and commercial customers.
Over the last decade, legislative changes, coupled with the lack of spare part availability, have caused LPG gas filling lines throughout the UK to become obsolete. The gas supplier had become increasingly unhappy with the lack of support for their existing equipment, but the complete replacement of gas cylinder filling stations is an expensive exercise. To solve this problem, Weightron have engineered a cost-effective and highly efficient refurbishment procedure for upgrading existing equipment to ensure ATEX Zone 2 compliance.
This involves the replacement of the non-compliant Avery-Weightronix weight terminals with Weightron’s D440iS ATEX certified weight controllers. These instruments, with built-in filling software, are fitted directly to the existing frame works, which are fully refurbished at Weightron’s factory. The associated 150 kg weigh platforms are also upgraded to meet current DSEAR requirements (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations), using the company’s 300 kg single point ATEX certified load cells. These weights and measures approved load cells provide a high level of overload capability, whilst still ensuring excellent filling precision. The upgrade also includes new ATEX certified solenoid control valve, gas valve, moisture capture filter, emergency stop valve, and counterbalance wire cable for filling the gun together with other gas fittings and clamps.
Weightron’s Sales Director Nick Burley is proud of his company’s forward-thinking philosophy: “Such applications clearly demonstrate our manufacturing versatility, engineering expertise and weighing experience. It would have been all too easy for the older equipment to have been scrapped unnecessarily. The newly refurbished filling units bring increased reliability, ease of use and precision for the customer. We operate a nationwide network of trained engineers, ensuring rapid support is always available if required.”
Weightron’s versatile D440iS ATEX certified weight indicator is ideal for a wide range of process weighing applications, including filling, dosing, mixing and blending. Housed in a compact AISI 304 stainless steel case with IP65 ingress protection, the weights and measures approved (Directive 90/384 EEC) terminal has a polyester 18 key alphanumeric keypad for selecting functions, weighing operations and entering descriptions. The adjustable ‘in-flight’ compensation within the software ensures pinpoint filling accuracy.
A key advantage of the D440iS is that it can operate directly in the hazardous area (including Zones 0 and 20, gases and dusts), without the need to install additional galvanic barriers through to the safe area. This not only saves installation costs, but also gives a much neater and more professional installation.
The D440 can be connected to external weight displays, weight repeaters, PCs and printers located in the safe area. The dedicated PS440-A power supply is available in 230 VAC, 115 VAC and 24 VAC versions.
To find out more get in touch with Weightron Bilaniciai today