Reynolds Contamination Control (RCC) has announced the launch of a new sister company—along with a world first that’s set to underpin a new market focus.
The ATEX Particle Counting Company (APCC) was formed earlier this year to coincide with the unveiling of the first ever—commercially available—ISO11171:2022 particle counter certified for use in explosive atmospheres.
RCC, along with APCC, will now fall under the umbrella of newly-formed parent company Labtec Consultancy Ltd.
The new equipment is the culmination of many years’ in-house experience in particle counting and several months of exhaustive testing and certification procedures. As a result, ATEX now offers the only calibrated particle counter on the market—for both oil and fuels—that meets standards for hazardous locations (ATEX, IECEx,UKEX).
It will give ATEX access to previously untapped markets—including oil & gas, shipbuilding, green energy, chemical & pharmaceutical, food, mining and traditional energy.
Up to now, particle counting in these areas has required samples to be collected on-site and then physically taken away for analysis in a laboratory due to the risks presented by using electrical equipment in the area classified as Zone 1 explosive atmospheres—such as airport refuelling areas and offshore applications.
Secure unit…the S50-P-Z1 ready for Zone 1 deployment. (Image credit: ATEX)
Technical Director Wayne Hubball said: “For many years now, customers have been asking us for kit that can be used in these situations. But the challenges of complying with exacting standards, sourcing the right components and producing something that’s portable and reliable have been difficult to overcome.”
However, ATEX’s recently forged links with Italian specialists MAM, combined with research and development by its own Engineering Director Peter Remmert, has helped to create an explosion-proof aluminium and AISI 316L, enclosure, that houses a state-of-the-art S50-P-Z1-** particle counter. Data can be retrieved ‘live’ or via the Cloud.
“The product is already creating a lot of interest,” said Wayne. “We’ve signed exclusive distribution agreements in Australia, Brazil, UK and Ireland for the S50-P-Z1-** and have had project discussions with OEM manufacturers in the offshore and hydrogen markets involving a specially developed stainless-steel variant (with offshore paint specification). We’ve also signed an agreement with a distributor for the African market.”
The Reynolds name has served us well over the last seven years or so, with its links to Osborne Reynolds, the 19th century pioneer in the field of fluid dynamics. But the time has come to move on with a new identity that, while holding true to those early breakthroughs, reflects our own innovative—and more specialized—approach to fluid cleanliness.”
