Hazardous Environment - Motors

Atmospheres can be classified as:

* Non-explosive atmosphere; the atmosphere does not contain explosive elements and all types of standard products can be used.
* Explosive atmosphere; the atmosphere does contain potentially explosive elements, either gas or dust.
Explosive atmosphere is referred to as 'Hazardous area' in IEC countries and 'HAZLOC' in North America

Equipment for explosive atmosphere is designed, installed, operated and maintained according to International standards and local regulations dedicated to this area.

Hazardous Area or Location is defined by 4 elements:
* Class
* Zone
* Group
* Temperature Class


Explosive atmosphere

The relevant parameters below characterize the potentially explosive atmosphere:

* Frequency with which potentially explosive atmosphere may exist
* Capability of gas or dust atmosphere to create an explosion

Explosive gas and dust is classified according to its likelihood to be ignited, according to its characteristics:

* Minimum ignition energy
* Minimum ignition temperature
* Auto-ignition temperature
* Layer ignition temperature"

Converting Pump Head to Pressure

Converting head in feet to pressure in psi
Pump curves in feet of head can be converted to pressure - psi - by the expression:

p = 0.434 h SG (1)

where
p = pressure (psi)
h = head (ft)
SG = specific gravity

Converting head in meter to pressure in bar
Pump curves in meter of head can be converted to pressure - bar - by the expression:

p = 0.0981 h SG (2)

where
h = head (m)
p = pressure (bar)

Converting head in meter to pressure in kg/cm2
Pump curves in meter of head can be converted to pressure - kg/cm2 - by the expression:

p = 0.1 h SG (2b)

where
h = head (m)
p = pressure (kg/cm2)

Converting Pressure to Head

Since pressure gauges often are calibrated in pressure - psi or bar, it may be necessary with a conversion to head - feet or meter, commonly used in pump curves.

Converting pressure in psi to head in feet

h = p 2.31 / SG (3)

where
h = head (ft)
p = pressure (psi)

Converting pressure in bar to head in meter

h = p 10.197 / SG (4)

where
h = head (m)
p = pressure (bar)

Converting pressure in kg/cm2 to head in meter

h = p 10 / SG (4b)

where
h = head (m)
p = pressure (kg/cm2)

Motor Enclosures

The selection of a motor enclosure depends upon the ambient and surrounding conditions. The two general classifications of motor enclosures are open and totally enclosed. An open motor has ventilating openings which permit passage of external air over and around the motor windings. A totally enclosed motor is constructed to prevent the free exchange of air between the inside and outside of the frame, but not sufficiently enclosed to be termed air-tight.

These two categories are further broken down by enclosure design, type of insulation, and/or cooling method. The most common of these types are listed below.

Open Dripproof - An open motor in which all ventilating open-ings are so constructed that drops of liquid or solid particles falling on the motor at any angle from 0 to 15 degrees from vertical cannot enter the machine. This is the most common type and is designed for use in nonhazardous, relatively clean, industrial areas.

Encapsulated - A dripproof motor with the stator windings com-pletely surrounded by a protective coating. An encapsulated motor offers more resistance to moisture and/or corrosive en- vironments than an ODP motor.

Totally Enclosed, Fan-Cooled - A enclosed motor equipped for external cooling by means of a fan integral with the motor, but external to the enclosed parts. TEFO motors are designed for use in extremely wet, dirty, or dusty areas.

Explosion-Proof, Dust-Ignition-Proof - An enclosed motor whose enclosure is designed to withstand an explosion of a specified dust. gas, or vapor which may occur within the motor and to prevent the ignition of this dust, gas, or vapor surrounding the motor. A motor manufacturer should be consulted regarding the various classes and groups of explosion-proof motors avail-able and the application of each.

Motor insulation is classified according to the total allowable temperature. This is made up of a maximum ambient temperature plus a maximum temperature rise plus allowances for hot spots and service factors. Class B insulation is the standard and allows for a total temperature of 130 degrees C. The maximum ambient is 40 degrees C, and the temperature rise is 70 degrees C, for ODP motors and 75 degrees C for TEFC motors."

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and Cavitation

The Hydraulic Institute defines NPSH as the total suction head in feet absolute, determined at the suction nozzle and corrected to datum, less the vapor pressure of the liquid in feet absolute. Simply stated, it is an analysis of energy conditions on the suction side of a pump to determine if the liquid will vaporize at the lowest pressure point in the pump.

The pressure which a liquid exerts on its surroundings is dependent upon its temperature. This pressure, called vapor pressure, is a unique characteristic of every fluid and increased with increasing temperature. When the vapor pressure within the fluid reaches the pressure of the surrounding medium, the fluid begins to vaporize or boil. The temperature at which this vaporization occurs will decrease as the pressure of the surrounding medium decreases.

A liquid increases greatly in volume when it vaporizes. One cubic foot of water at room temperature becomes 1700 cu. ft. of vapor at the same temperature.

It is obvious from the above that if we are to pump a fluid effectively, we must keep it in liquid form. NPSH is simply a measure of the amount of suction head present to prevent this vaporization at the lowest pressure point in the pump.

NPSH Required is a function of the pump design. As the liquid passes from the pump suction to the eye of the impeller, the velocity increases and the pressure decreases. There are also pressure losses due to shock and turbulence as the liquid strikes the impeller. The centrifugal force of the impeller vanes further increases the velocity and decreases the pressure of the liquid. The NPSH Required is the positive head in feet absolute required at the pump suction to overcome these pressure drops in the pump and maintain the majority of the liquid above its vapor pressure. The NPSH Required varies with speed and capacity within any particular pump. Pump manufacturer's curves normally provide this information."