Tiger-Vac CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA 1/2GD
Tiger-Vac CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA 1/2GD – Oil-Based Inert ATEX Vacuum for Reactive Metal Dust
The Tiger-Vac CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA 1/2GD is an oil-based inert vacuum cleaner engineered for the safe recovery and inertization of conductive, combustible, and self-heating metal powders in ATEX Zones 1, 2, 21, and 22 — in situations where a conventional dry ATEX vacuum would not be sufficient.
The unit uses Tiger-Vac’s CD-IT EX immersion separator “Wet Oil Mix”, where metal dust and fines are directed into a controlled bath of mineral oil or another manufacturer-approved neutralizing liquid. Inside the liquid bath, particles lose energy, reactivity is suppressed, ignition sources are eliminated, and the dust is transformed into a wet inert sludge suitable for safe disposal.
Applications – where the 85L model excels
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is the compact model in the inert series, ideal for environments that handle small to medium quantities of reactive metal powders and where mobility and ease of use in laboratories or production cells are essential.
- Additive manufacturing / metal 3D-printing (SLM, DMLS, EBM etc.) with one or two printers
- R&D cells working with titanium, aluminium, superalloys, and other reactive metal powders
- Small-scale ammunition and pyrotechnics handling requiring oil-based inertization
- Battery, energy and electronics R&D handling lithium-, nickel- or cobalt-based metallic fines
- Metalworking stations producing hazardous reactive fines mixed with lubricating oil
Liquid requirements, permitted and prohibited materials
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is an oil-only inert system designed for use with mineral oil or a neutralizing liquid approved by the manufacturer.
Typical permitted materials include aluminium, magnesium, zirconium, titanium, water-reactive metal powders, pyrophoric alloys, sensitive ammunition residues and other conductive/explosive metal dusts when confirmed in the SDS.
Organic dusts, food dusts, plastics, wood dust, non-metallic dusts or general production dust may not be collected with this model. The immersion and filtration system is designed strictly for metallic reactive powders.
The customer must always review the SDS to ensure full compatibility between the metal dust, any additives present, and the neutralizing oil.
Inertization principle and construction
During operation, air and metal dust travel through a conductive hose and ESD-safe tool set before entering the immersion separator. Inside the CD-IT tank, the air stream is directed downwards into the oil bath via a diffuser.
The reactive dust is rapidly submerged, cooled, and neutralized as it becomes embedded in the liquid. The saturated airflow then passes through a coalescing filter element (CFE) that removes entrained droplets, followed by a high-efficiency HEPA H14 filter with 99.995% efficiency at 0.3 μm, tested according to EN 1822/IEST-standards before shipment.
The explosion-proof TEFC motor is mounted in an ATEX-certified enclosure, legally certified as explosion proof/dust ignition proof under ATEX and IECEx requirements.
ATEX, IECEx and EN 17348 compliance
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is third-party ATEX-certified as II 1/2GD with external marking Ex db h IIB T4 Gb and Ex h tb IIIC T135°C Db IP65, and internal marking Ex h IIC T6 Ga / Ex h IIIC T50°C Da.
The model is IECEx certified under IECEx LCI 10.0040X and complies with EN 17348 WT for the recovery of combustible and self-heating dusts.
The entire system is ESD-safe with a total system resistance below 10 ohms when used with conductive hoses and accessories.
Part of the CD-IT EX (CFE) Inert Series
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is the smallest model in a three-unit inert vacuum series. All models share the same oil-based immersion technology, ATEX 1/2GD classification, and IECEx certification. They mainly differ in motor performance, tank volume, and the daily amount of reactive dust they are designed to handle.
| Model | Motor & Performance | Tank / Liquid Bath | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA | 2.2 kW, 212 m³/h, 2540 mm H₂O | Approx. 85 L tank, ~30 L oil bath | Small AM labs, R&D cells, low daily dust quantities |
| CD-IT (114L) EX (CFE) HEPA | 4.0 kW, 299 m³/h, 3380 mm H₂O | Approx. 114 L tank, ~45 L oil bath | Medium-sized AM production, multiple printers |
| CD-IT (160L) EX (CFE) | 7.5 kW, 850 m³/h, 4370 mm H₂O | Approx. 160 L tank, ~60 L oil bath | Large AM factories, ammunition and metal powder processing |
Tools, accessories and safety options
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is supplied with a complete ESD-safe accessory kit including conductive hose, two-piece stainless wand, universal floor tool with conductive bristles, round brush, conical nozzle, Tiger-Claw nozzle, tube brush for tank cleaning and a multimeter for resistance checks.
The interceptor tank includes an AISI 304 stainless-steel sieve basket, liquid level indicator, coalescing filter element (CFE), and a fully enclosed removable stainless-steel collection tank.
Optional factory-installed safety upgrades include a rupture disk (pressure relief) and degassing valve for controlled venting during the handling of highly reactive metal powders.
Inert or ATEX – do you know the difference?
Reactive metal powders often require oil-based inertization rather than dry ATEX vacuuming. Learn when inert technology is mandatory.
Technical and safety notes
The CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA is tested according to EN 17348 WT and complies with ATEX and IECEx requirements for external Zones 1/21/22 and internal Zone 20.
The unit must only be operated with suitable neutralizing liquids, in certified zones and as part of a fully bonded grounding system using conductive hoses and verified system resistance.
Inertization reduces ignition risk but does not replace a complete risk assessment of materials, processes and operational environment.
Need help with inert or ATEX applications?
Contact us for technical guidance on material compatibility, inertization requirements and safe collection of reactive metal powders.
Recommended reading
- ATEX ABC – Before sparks, there are choices
- Know your ohm – know your ATEX risk
- The invisible weakest link
FAQ
- Which liquid must be used? Mineral oil or another neutralizing liquid approved by the manufacturer. Water must never be used alone for water-reactive metals such as magnesium, lithium or zirconium.
- Which materials may be collected? Conductive and explosive metal powders including aluminium, magnesium, zirconium, titanium, AM metal powders, pyrotechnic residues and ammunition dust when SDS confirms compatibility.
- Can organic or general dust be collected? No. The system is dedicated to metallic dust only.
- How is the recovered sludge handled? The sludge consists of neutralized metal dust and oil and must be disposed of as hazardous waste according to local regulations.
- Is the accessory kit ATEX type-certified? Accessories are ESD-safe and conductive but not type-certified individually; the entire system must be bonded and grounded with total resistance below 10 ohms.
- Which ATEX zones is it approved for? External Zones 1, 2, 21, and 22. The internal tank is Category 1G/1D (Zone 20).
All values provided by the manufacturer at approx. 20°C. Subject to technical change.
| Model | Tiger-Vac CD-IT (85L) EX (CFE) HEPA 1/2GD |
|---|---|
| Type | Oil-based inert vacuum with Wet Oil Mix immersion separator |
| ATEX classification | II 1/2GD – Ex db h IIB T4 Gb / Ex h tb IIIC T135°C Db IP65 (external), Ex h IIC T6 Ga / Ex h IIIC T50°C Da (internal) |
| IECEx certificate | IECEx LCI 10.0040X |
| ATEX certificate | LCIE 03 ATEX 6295 X |
| EN standards | EN 17348 WT, EN/IEC 60079-series, EN ISO 80079-series |
| Neutralizing liquid | Mineral oil or approved neutralizing liquid |
| Permitted materials | Conductive and reactive metal powders (Al, Mg, Zr, Ti, AM metal powders, ammunition dust) |
| Prohibited materials | Organic dust, food dust, plastics, wood dust, general non-metallic dusts |
| Motor | Explosion-proof TEFC 3-phase motor |
| Voltage | 400 V |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
| Phases | 3 |
| Wattage | 2200 W |
| Power | 2.2 kW |
| Current | 4.8 A |
| Airflow | 212 m³/h |
| Vacuum | 2540 mm H₂O |
| VRV setting | 1780 mm H₂O |
| Max recommended performance | 145 CFM (246 m³/h) and 130" H₂O (3302 mm H₂O) |
| Sound level | 74 dB(A) |
| Suction inlet | 50 mm |
| Liquid bath capacity | Approx. 30 L oil / ~10 kg metal dust |
| Tank | AISI 304 stainless interceptor with removable tank (DT) |
| Filter configuration | Coalescing filter element + HEPA H14 (99.995% @ 0.3 μm) |
| Filter cleaning | None (manual) |
| Materials | AISI 304 stainless tank and sieve basket; powder-coated frame |
| ESD resistance | Total system resistance < 10 ohms with conductive accessories |
| Length | 119 cm |
| Width | 81 cm |
| Height | 157 cm |
| Weight | 111 kg |
| Cord length | 10 m |
| Standard tool kit | Conductive hose, stainless wand, floor tool, round brush, conical nozzle, Tiger-Claw nozzle, tube brush, multimeter |
| Safety options | Rupture disk and degassing vent (factory-installed) |
