Tiger-Vac SS-55 (TC) TE
Pneumatic venturi ATEX T6 vacuum for Zone 1 gas + Zone 21 dust -- 151 L dry / 170 L liquid, Tilt Cart (TC) for fuel recovery, EN 17348 LC for flammable liquids -- 151 L dry / 170 L liquid, 50 mm inlet for high-volume recovery
- Defueling and depuddling of military aircraft (F-35, legacy fighters) in hangars -- zero electrical ignition risk
- Depot work and field operations where compressed air is more readily available than 230V
- Recovery of JP-8 and Jet A-1 in areas with high vapour concentration
- Continuous process extraction without motor overheating (24/7 operation possible)
- Chemical industry with flammable solvents (toluene, acetone, MEK) in Zone 1/21 where T6 rating is required
- ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU -- II 2GD Ex h IIC T6 Gb / Ex h IIIC T85°C Db -- LCIE 03 ATEX 6310 X -- IECEx LCIE 17.0076 X -- EN 17348 LC
- EN 17348:2022 (harmonized March 2023)
- IEC 60335-2-69 (industrial vacuums)
Tiger-Vac SS-55 (TC) TE
The Tiger-Vac SS-55 (TC) TE is the largest in single-venturi configuration in pneumatic explosion-proof vacuum for the recovery of fuel and flammable liquids in ATEX Zone 1 (gas) and Zone 21 (dust). Driven exclusively by compressed air through a single venturi unit -- no electrical components, no ignition risk, and ATEX T6 class (max 85 °C surface temperature). Certified to EN 17348 LC (flammable + non-flammable liquids) and dual-certified under ATEX (LCIE 03 ATEX 6310 X) and IECEx (LCIE 17.0076 X) for international defense procurement. The Tilt Cart (TC) construction tips the entire tank for emptying without lifting, a real ergonomic and safety advantage for a 170 litre full liquid tank. 204 m3/h airflow, 5080 mmH2O vacuum at 5.5 bar supply pressure. AISI 304 stainless construction, activated carbon filter optional for VOC vapours, only 75 dB(A) sound level. Requires a 15 HP compressor with 21.2 L/s capacity.
Applications
- Defueling and depuddling of military aircraft (F-35, legacy fighters) in hangars -- zero electrical ignition risk
- Depot work and field operations where compressed air is more readily available than 230V
- Recovery of JP-8 and Jet A-1 in areas with high vapour concentration
- Continuous process extraction without motor overheating (24/7 operation possible)
- Chemical industry with flammable solvents (toluene, acetone, MEK) in Zone 1/21 where T6 rating is required
Technical specifications
| ATEX marking | II 2GD Ex h IIC T6 Gb / Ex h IIIC T85°C Db -- LCIE 03 ATEX 6310 X -- IECEx LCIE 17.0076 X -- EN 17348 LC |
|---|---|
| Internal / external zone | -- / 21 |
| Motor type | Pneumatisk venturi-aggregat (single venturi, 6 mm), ingen elektriske komponenter -- ATEX T6 klasse (Tmax 85 °C) |
| Duty cycle | Continuous |
| Airflow | 204 m³/h |
| Vacuum | 498 mbar (5080 mmH₂O) |
| Container | 151 L |
| Sound pressure | 75 dB(A) |
| Filter class | Stainless steel mesh filter (not HEPA-classified, for liquid recovery) |
| Filter type | Rustfri staal mesh-filter med clamp (part 213433) -- aktivt kulfilter (211045) som tilvalg for VOC/dampe |
| Primary filter | Rustfri staal mesh-filter (213433). Strainer basket inkluderet. Statisk ledende konstruktion (< 10 ohm resistivitet). |
| Cleaning system | Ingen (manuel) -- mesh-filter aftages og skylles rent |
| Collection system | Detachable container |
| Material | AISI 304 rustfri staal (undtagen vogn) |
| Air consumption | 1272 nl/min |
| Supply pressure | 5.5 bar |
| Air supply hose | Ø 12.7 mm |
| Venturi units | 1 pcs |
| Inlet | Ø 50 mm |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 1020 x 710 x 1170 mm |
| Weight | 60 kg |
Questions and answers
What's the advantage of pneumatic venturi over an electric TEFC motor?
Zero electrical ignition risk. A pneumatic vacuum is driven exclusively by compressed air passing through a venturi nozzle system that creates negative pressure by aerodynamic effect. No motor, no sparks, no hot electrical component -- only mechanical airflow. This qualifies the unit for T6 class (max 85 °C surface temperature), while an electric TEFC motor can only achieve T3 (200 °C). T6 is required in certain high-risk applications such as F-35 fuel tanks or hydrogen areas where even a 100 °C surface can ignite flammable vapours. The downside is the compressor requirement (minimum 15 HP + 21.2 L/s air at 5.5 bar) -- in the field, compressed air can be the limiting factor.
What compressor do I need?
Minimum 15 HP (11 kW) compressor delivering 21.2 L/s (1272 NL/min) at 5.5 bar continuously. This corresponds to a mid-scale industrial compressor -- e.g. Atlas Copco GA11, Kaeser AirTower 11 or equivalent. You also need a 1/2" (12.7 mm) hose from the compressor to the unit, and the unit can be operated continuously as long as the compressor maintains pressure. For field work, a mobile compressor (e.g. Atlas Copco XAS 97) can be used -- be aware of the compressor's own fuel; a diesel compressor can become an ignition source inside an ATEX zone and should be placed outside the zone with the air hose run in.
Why T6 instead of T3 -- what does it mean in practice?
T6 is ATEX's strictest temperature class: maximum surface temperature 85 °C. T3 is 200 °C. For most fuels such as diesel or Jet A-1, T3 is sufficient because auto-ignition temperature is 210-230 °C. But for hydrogen, acetylene, and certain aerosolised aromatics (such as benzene vapours at high concentration), even 90-120 °C surface temperature can trigger ignition. T6 is also required in many newer defense specifications (NATO STANAG, US Air Force TO-0 series) where a single worst-case class is chosen for all tasks. SS-TE models are built to T6 because the pneumatic construction makes it physically impossible to exceed 85 °C.
What's the difference between the SS (pneumatic) and EXP1 (electric) TE series?
Same chassis family, same Tilt Cart, same filtration (stainless mesh + activated carbon optional), same EN 17348 LC certification. But the motor is fundamentally different: EXP1 is single-phase TEFC electric (230V), SS is pneumatic venturi (compressed air). Choice depends on available energy and risk level: When you have 230V and T3 is sufficient -- choose EXP1 (lighter, no compressor requirement, longer hose reach via cable). When you have compressed air and T6 is required, or you work in ultra-high-risk areas (hydrogen, F-35, rocket fuel) -- choose SS. In practice, many defense units choose SS models because NATO/US Air Force specifications typically require T6.
Is there a TWIN VENTURI variant of the SS-55 (TC) TE?
Yes. Tiger-Vac offers the SS-55 (TC) TE TWIN VENTURI (part number 110282) with two parallel venturi nozzles delivering 331 m3/h airflow (vs 204 m3/h on single) and 5840 mmH2O vacuum (vs 5080). TWIN VENTURI requires a larger compressor (30 HP, 33 L/s at 6.9 bar) and a 1" (25 mm) air hose. It's used where high-volume fuel recovery is necessary -- typically for larger aircraft (C-130, tanker trucks) or simultaneous extraction from multiple jobs. Contact us directly if TWIN VENTURI could be relevant -- it is not included in our standard range but can be supplied on order.