New ATEX-approved housing for temperature measurement instrumentation in the hydrocarbon processing and chemical sectors

AMETEK Land have launched two new housing enclosures that offer increased support for temperature measurement applications in hazardous areas. The EXSH1 flameproof housings have been specifically developed for use with AMETEK Land’s EX SPOT pyrometer range and LWIR-640 thermal imager and have received approvals for operation in hazardous areas.

Manufactured from 316/316L stainless steel and built to withstand corrosion, both enclosures boast a certified temperature range of -40 to +70 °C (-40 to 158 °F). With IP66 and IP68 ingress protection, these enclosures are capable of withstanding exposure to dust, water immersion and high-pressure water jets, making them suitable for use in the harshest environmental conditions, including those involving explosive mixtures. The gridless design of the housing ensures an unobstructed field of view, and its certification allows for use in areas with dust and gas hazards. Furthermore, the enclosure eliminates the need for purge air, enhancing safety.

The EXSH1 EX SPOT housing is specifically designed to complement the EX SPOT range, a versatile collection of high-performance pyrometers that perform fixed, non-contact, infrared spot temperature measurements. The EX SPOT pyrometers are available in various operating wavelengths, temperatures, and process requirements and the new housing amplifies their capabilities in continuous annealing lines, semiconductor growth, as well as applications within the hydrocarbon processing and chemical industries.

The EXSH1 LWIR housing has been developed exclusively for the LWIR-640 thermal imager, a long-wavelength instrument that provides accurate measurements between -20 and 1000 °C (-4 and 1832 °F) in three ranges, offering different optics and lenses. The LWIR-640 delivers real-time, high-precision temperature images at a rate of up to 60 frames per second, enabling precise control, documentation, and visualisation of industrial processes. The new housing ensures the protection of the LWIR-640 in critical applications such as flare stack monitoring, critical vessel monitoring, storage pile monitoring and operations ubiquitous to the chemical and energy sectors.

Derek Stuart, Product Manager at AMETEK Land, expressed his excitement about the new housing enclosures, stating, "The EXSH1 housing allows customers in many new industries, including hydrocarbons and semiconductors, to benefit from the accuracy and reliability of AMETEK Land's thermometers and thermal imagers."

The new enclosures have received ATEX, IECEx, and UKEX certifications. This universal specification simplifies the process of specifying and quoting the product, making it suitable across the globe. The enclosures come with a range of accessories, including mounting brackets - with pan and tilt adjustment, a sun shield for outdoor use and a spool piece adapter. For the LWIR housing, an environmental protection tube is available for flare stack applications, while the EX SPOT housing offers additional accessories such as purges and a vertical mounting stand.