ATEX Dust vacuum cleaner

Delfin DM2 1/2D INERT

Single-phase ATEX vacuum for Zone 21 with INERT neutralisation bath -- brushless motor for continuous operation, 44 L total tank in AISI 304

  • Continuous operation at 3D-printing plants with metal powder in Zone 21
  • Larger ammunition facilities with Zone 21 classification
  • Light-metal machining in aerospace with prolonged ATEX atmosphere
  • Powder metallurgy with pyrophoric powders in Zone 21 areas
  • Process plants where liquid capacity and airflow are both critical
Delfin DM2 1/2D INERT -- Single-phase ATEX vacuum for Zone 21 with INERT neutralisation bath -- brushless motor for continuous operation, 44 L total tank in AISI 304
Certified to
  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU -- II 1/2D Ex h tb IIIC T80°C (Int) /T95°C (ext) Da/Db
  • EN 17348:2022 (harmonized March 2023)
  • IEC 60335-2-69 (industrial vacuums)

Delfin DM2 1/2D INERT

The Delfin DM2 1/2D INERT is the 1/2D counterpart to the DM2 1/3D INERT: same 44 L INERT tank (37 L liquid + 7 L material) in AISI 304, same HEPA H14 with 26,000 cm² filter, but upgraded for continuous operation in ATEX Zone 21 with internal Zone 20 (II 1/2D Ex h tb IIIC). The single-phase brushless motor (2.2 kW) delivers 430 m³/h airflow -- the highest in the DM2 family -- at 221 mbar. Used where reactive metallic dust and prolonged ATEX atmosphere require simultaneous uncompromised protection.

Applications

  • Continuous operation at 3D-printing plants with metal powder in Zone 21
  • Larger ammunition facilities with Zone 21 classification
  • Light-metal machining in aerospace with prolonged ATEX atmosphere
  • Powder metallurgy with pyrophoric powders in Zone 21 areas
  • Process plants where liquid capacity and airflow are both critical

Technical specifications

ATEX markingII 1/2D Ex h tb IIIC T80°C (Int) /T95°C (ext) Da/Db
Internal / external zone20 / 21
Motor type1-faset brushless-motor (2,2 kW, 16 A ved 230 V)
Duty cyclePeriodic
Airflow430 m³/h
Vacuum221 mbar (2250 mmH₂O)
Container44 L
Sound pressure74 dB(A)
Filter classH class
Filter typeHEPA H14 (EN 1822-5), 99,995 % MPPS, 26.000 cm² filterflade
Primary filterStjerne/taske polyester ANT M-klasse antistatisk, 30.000 cm², diameter 500 mm
Cleaning systemManuel filterrensning + indikator for tilstopning
Collection systemINERT neutralisation bath
MaterialAISI 304 rustfrit staal (beholder)
IP classIP64
Power2.2 kW
Current16 A
Voltage115/230 V / 50-60 Hz
InletØ 50 mm
Dimensions (L × W × H)770 x 660 x 1680 mm
Weight90 kg
Cutaway of the Delfin INERT collection tank with neutralisation bath -- reactive metallic dust is channelled directly into the liquid and inactivated before it can contact oxygen or sparks
The Delfin INERT tank: dust is channelled directly into the neutralisation bath and inactivated instantly, before it can come into contact with oxygen, sparks or heat.

INERT TECHNOLOGY — EN 17348:2022

What is an INERT vacuum cleaner?

Delfin's INERT vacuum cleaners are built to collect reactive metallic dust — the kind of dust that can self-ignite or react violently with oxygen, heat or water. Instead of collecting dust dry in a bag or container, the vacuum channels it directly into a neutralising liquid bath (typically water with a passivating agent added), where the reactive metal particle is inactivated on the spot. That is the difference between a controlled process and a vacuum that can itself become the ignition source.

Tested to EN 17348:2022

The INERT range is certified and performance-tested to EN 17348:2022, the harmonized European standard for industrial vacuum cleaners in ATEX zones. The test confirms that the neutralisation system actually inactivates reactive dust under real operating conditions — not merely in a lab setup. Combined with HEPA H14 final filtration (99.995 % efficiency at MPPS per EN 1822-5), the exhaust is clean down to the finest health-hazardous particles.

Typical applications

INERT vacuums are used at shooting ranges (lead dust and primer residue from cartridges), in ammunition manufacturing, for 3D printing with metal powders (aluminium and titanium are highly reactive when finely divided), in light-metal machining in aerospace and defense, and at process plants where pyrophoric powders such as zirconium and magnesium are handled. Some models are ACD-certified (IEC 60335-2-69 Annex AA) for non-ATEX-classified areas, others are ATEX-certified for Zone 20, 21 or 22 — but they all share the same neutralising liquid bath and the same uncompromising filtration.

INERT versus conventional HEPA filtration

A conventional HEPA vacuum retains particles in a filter but leaves them dry and potentially reactive. With reactive metallic dust that is not enough — the particle may react with oxygen (exothermic oxidation) or moisture (hydrolysis of certain metal hydrides) and disrupt the collection process itself. INERT technology solves this by inactivating the particle at the moment of collection: dust is immersed in the liquid before it can react, and the HEPA H14 filter then captures any residual aerosol before exhaust.

Questions and answers

What does INERT mean in this context?

INERT denotes a vacuum cleaner with a neutralising liquid bath in the collection tank. Dust is channelled directly into the liquid and inactivated immediately, so it cannot react with oxygen, heat or sparks. The technology is developed for reactive metallic dust (aluminium, titanium, magnesium, zirconium, lead dust from shooting ranges), where conventional dry collection would itself be an ignition source.

Is the INERT system tested to EN 17348:2022?

Yes. The entire Delfin INERT range is performance-tested to EN 17348:2022 -- the harmonized European standard for industrial vacuum cleaners in ATEX zones. The test confirms that the neutralisation bath actually inactivates reactive dust under real operating conditions, not just in a lab setup. Documentation available on request.

What types of dust is INERT technology intended for?

Reactive metallic dust: aluminium and aluminium alloys, titanium, magnesium, zirconium, fine iron powder, lead dust and primer residue from shooting ranges, and pyrophoric powders from aerospace and defense. For non-reactive dust (organic process dust, plastics, etc.) the INERT technology adds no further safety -- a standard ATEX or ACD model without liquid bath is selected instead.

How does the HEPA H14 final filter work together with the liquid bath?

The neutralisation bath inactivates dust at the moment of collection, but there will always be a fine aerosol fraction that passes the liquid surface. The HEPA H14 filter captures 99.995 % of particles down to 0.3 micrometres per EN 1822-5 (MPPS method) before exhaust. The combination secures both safe collection (no reactive dry particle) and clean exhaust (no health-hazardous aerosol). The filter is Included/Incluso as standard on all INERT models.

Why does the DM2 1/2D INERT have higher airflow than DM2 1/3D INERT?

The brushless motor (2.2 kW at 230 V, 16 A) delivers 430 m³/h -- versus the bypass motor's 360 m³/h on the 1/3D variant. The difference is due to motor technology, not zone category: the brushless design has higher rotational speed and lower mechanical losses. Both airflow and tank size are thus larger on the 1/2D variant, but the vacuum is slightly lower (221 vs 245 mbar) and current draw higher.

Can the DM2 1/2D INERT be powered at 115 V?

Yes. The machine is dual-voltage (115 V / 230 V, 50-60 Hz). At 115 V the current draw is 30 A -- the installation must be dimensioned accordingly. At 230 V the current draw is 16 A. 115 V operation is typically relevant for American plants or mobile generator-driven tasks.

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