Container solutions for the oil and gas industry: Flexible, robust, and customized

A particularly demanding area of container technology offered by Zeppelin Power Systems is explosion-proof or ATEX-certified containers. These are primarily used in applications with gas engines, as there are few ATEX-certified engines in this area. The certifications vary by region and application: While CSA (Canada) and NEC (USA) primarily focus on electrical aspects, ATEX (Europe) and IECEx (Asia) also consider surface temperatures, as some gases can ignite on hot surfaces. These certifications aim to maximize the safety of workers in hazardous, explosive environments.

This is how ATEX-certified containers work

In an ATEX-certified container, an overpressure is created to prevent the ingress of flammable substances. Special door constructions with safety locks ensure that the overpressure is maintained. Additionally, both the intake air and exhaust gases must be routed to safe areas outside the ATEX zone, often requiring long piping.

The definition of ATEX zones is the responsibility of the operator and is divided into Zones 0, 1, and 2. Zone 0, typically the well itself, is considered permanently hazardous and must not contain flammable components. Zone 1 extends, for example, within a five-meter radius and poses a high explosion risk, while Zone 2 starts, for example, at seven meters and is only considered hazardous in the event of an accident or failure. This clear zoning primarily determines the placement of equipment and personnel.

The complexity of safety requirements is particularly evident in offshore operations. Here, the entire platform is considered a potentially hazardous area, except for specific "Safe Areas." These areas, which are under overpressure, provide safe spaces for the daily activities of personnel. Access to offshore drilling rigs is therefore strictly regulated and requires special safety training.