Delfin EXP 70 INERT
Three-phase ATEX vacuum for Zone 22 with INERT neutralisation bath -- 5.5 kW side-channel blower, 530 m³/h airflow and doubled HEPA filter area
- Largest process plants with round-the-clock operation and reactive metal powder
- Central suction installation at 3D-printing factories with metal powder
- Defense industry's largest ammunition facilities with high dust volume
- Light-metal machining in aerospace with multiple simultaneous suction points
- Powder metallurgy with largest batch sizes and 24/7 operation
- ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU -- II 3D Ex h tc IIIC T80°C (int) /T165°C (ext) Dc
- EN 17348:2022 (harmonized March 2023)
- IEC 60335-2-69 (industrial vacuums)
Delfin EXP 70 INERT
The Delfin EXP 70 INERT is the top model in the DG EXP INERT series: 5.5 kW side-channel blower, 530 m³/h airflow and -- uniquely -- doubled HEPA filter area at 52,000 cm² (versus 26,000 cm² on the EXP 50 and ZFR 75). 44-litre neutralisation tank (37 L liquid + 7 L material) in AISI 304, pressure relief valve included, ATEX-certified for Zone 22 (II 3D Ex h tc IIIC) and performance-tested to EN 17348:2022. The larger filter area means longer life between filter changes and lower pressure drop -- a significant parameter in 24/7 operation with high dust volume.
Applications
- Largest process plants with round-the-clock operation and reactive metal powder
- Central suction installation at 3D-printing factories with metal powder
- Defense industry's largest ammunition facilities with high dust volume
- Light-metal machining in aerospace with multiple simultaneous suction points
- Powder metallurgy with largest batch sizes and 24/7 operation
Technical specifications
| ATEX marking | II 3D Ex h tc IIIC T80°C (int) /T165°C (ext) Dc |
|---|---|
| Internal / external zone | 22 / 22 |
| Motor type | Sidekanalblaeser, 3-faset (5,5 kW, 11 A) |
| Duty cycle | Continuous |
| Airflow | 530 m³/h |
| Vacuum | 353 mbar (3600 mmH₂O) |
| Container | 44 L |
| Sound pressure | 72 dB(A) |
| Filter class | H class |
| Filter type | Klasse H HEPA H14 (EN 1822-5), 99,995 % MPPS, 52.000 cm² filterflade (fordoblet) |
| Primary filter | Stjerne/taske polyester ANT M-klasse antistatisk, 30.000 cm², diameter 500 mm |
| Cleaning system | Manuel filterrensning + trykudligningsventil inkluderet |
| Collection system | INERT neutralisation bath |
| Material | Lakeret staalkonstruktion (krop), AISI 304 INERT-beholder, ABS tilbehoersholder |
| IP class | IP65 |
| Power | 5.5 kW |
| Current | 11 A |
| Voltage | 400 V / 50 Hz / 3~ |
| Inlet | Ø 50 mm |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 660 x 1180 x 1450 mm |
| Weight | 150 kg |
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 is the HEPA filter area doubled on the EXP 70 INERT?
A larger filter area provides two things: (1) longer life between filter changes, because the dust load is distributed across double the area, and (2) lower pressure drop across the filter, because air passes through more filter surface at once. At 530 m³/h and 24/7 operation with reactive metal powder this is critical -- the alternative would be frequent filter changes and risk of overpressure. The doubled area (52,000 cm²) is designed for the EXP 70's higher airflow and is why it costs more than the EXP 50 INERT.
Is the EXP 70 INERT compatible with central suction installations?
Yes. The 50 mm inlet and high vacuum (3600 mmH₂O max, 3000 mmH₂O at maximum airflow) means the machine can run multiple parallel hoses from a master manifold. The side-channel blower is also maintenance-free, so a fixed installation with automatic start/stop on a pressure switch is typically realistic. Sizing (hose length, number of suction points) is clarified with Particulair's engineer based on the plant's needs.