Depureco AC 65 Z20/21
Pneumatic ATEX vacuum 1/2D -- 65 L, Zone 21 external + Zone 20 internal, H14 absolute filter included as standard
- Pharmaceutical production with CMR-category substances and Zone 21 classification
- Research and R&D labs where HEPA on the exhaust is a requirement
- Battery prototyping with active powders that can generate explosive atmosphere
- Gas-neutral rooms with internal Zone 20 + external Zone 21, where electric motors are excluded
- Metal fine-polishing rooms where dust is reactive and operators must be protected
- ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU -- II 1/2D c T100°C
- EN 17348:2022 (harmonized March 2023)
- IEC 60335-2-69 (industrial vacuums)
Depureco AC 65 Z20/21
The AC 65 Z20/21 is Depureco's pneumatically driven vacuum for the higher dust zones: ATEX-marked II 1/2D c T100°C, meaning internal Zone 20 and external Zone 21. A catalog nuance worth noting -- the "c" refers to the protection principle constructional safety (EN 13463-5, non-ignition by construction) rather than the more classical "Ex h" family; this is because venturi drive has by design no electrical ignition source, and the 1/2D category is secured here through constructive measures (grounding, antistatic construction, temperature limit T100°C). The defining difference to the AC 65 Z2/22 is that the H14 absolute filter (28,000 cm² fiberglass) is included as standard on this variant -- not an add-on. That makes it the natural choice for pharmaceutical and research environments where both spark-safety and HEPA exhaust are required.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical production with CMR-category substances and Zone 21 classification
- Research and R&D labs where HEPA on the exhaust is a requirement
- Battery prototyping with active powders that can generate explosive atmosphere
- Gas-neutral rooms with internal Zone 20 + external Zone 21, where electric motors are excluded
- Metal fine-polishing rooms where dust is reactive and operators must be protected
Technical specifications
| ATEX marking | II 1/2D c T100°C |
|---|---|
| Internal / external zone | 20 / 21 |
| Motor type | Venturi-rør, pneumatisk drift (trykluft 6-8 bar) |
| Duty cycle | Continuous |
| Airflow | 480 m³/h |
| Vacuum | 500 mbar (5097 mmH₂O) |
| Container | 65 L |
| Sound pressure | 70 dB(A) |
| Filter class | H class |
| Filter type | Stjernefilter antistatisk polyester klasse M, 24.000 cm2 + H14 absolutfilter 28.000 cm2 fiberglass (inkluderet som standard) |
| Primary filter | Stjernefilter antistatisk polyester klasse M, 24.000 cm2 |
| Cleaning system | Manuel filterrens |
| Collection system | Detachable container |
| Material | Lakeret staalkonstruktion, AISI 304 stoev- og kammerbeholder |
| Air consumption | 1233 nl/min |
| Supply pressure | 6-8 bar |
| Air supply hose | Ø 12 mm |
| Venturi units | 1 pcs |
| Inlet | Ø 80 mm |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 660 x 800 x 1200 mm |
| Weight | 64 kg |
Questions and answers
What does 'H14 included as standard' mean?
It means the AC 65 Z20/21 ships with an H14 absolute filter (28,000 cm² fiberglass, EN 1822-5, 99.995 % MPPS) fitted as delivery -- not as an add-on specified at order. On the AC 65 Z2/22 the H14 is optional; here it is always included. Combined with the stricter zone certification (Zone 20 internal vs Zone 22 internal on Z2/22) this explains the roughly 20 % price difference. Chassis weight is actually the same 64 kg -- the H14 cabinet is integrated in the filter housing, not stacked on top.
Why pneumatic and not electric for Zone 20?
Zone 20 -- where explosive dust atmosphere is continuously or long-term present -- has very high ignition-source elimination requirements. Venturi drive has no moving electrical parts and no hot surfaces above T100°C -- this is precisely why the unit is certified under the protection principle constructional safety ("c" in the 1/2D category). An electric alternative for the same zone needs Ex tb/tc protection or equivalent, and is typically both more expensive and more service-demanding because electric heating elements and bearings must be kept below T100°C even under fault conditions.
What is the difference between an AC 65 Z20/21 and a FOX 3 DEX 1/2D?
The FOX 3 DEX 1/2D is electric (three-phase side-channel blower 2.2 kW), delivers 320 m3/h at 200 mbar and has a large compact 100 L tank. The AC 65 Z20/21 is compressed-air driven, delivers 480 m3/h at 500 mbar but only 65 L container. On flow and vacuum AC wins -- on tank size and compressed-air independence FOX wins. Choose AC if spark safety is the top priority or if you have ample compressed-air capacity; choose FOX if continuous operation without compressor dependence matters more.
Can the AC 65 Z20/21 operate in Zone 22?
Yes. The Zone 21 certification automatically covers Zone 22 (lower requirement). But if your installation is stable Zone 22 (not 21) it may be over-dimensioned -- the AC 65 Z2/22 or a side-channel electric model may then be a better choice.
Is the filter replaceable without special tools?
Yes. The star filter is replaced via the top lid (4 clamp brackets) without special tools. The H14 absolute filter is in a separate cabinet below and must be replaced after EN 1822-5 testing -- this requires a qualified service technician. Particulair offers replacement as part of a maintenance subscription.