ATEX Certified Weighing Systems for Chemical Processing in Hazardous Areas
Chemical processing destroys conventional weighing equipment. Explosive gases and combustible dust demand an intrinsically safe installation, corrosive acids and solvents attack unprotected load cells within months, and the thermal swings of exothermic reactions and steam-heated vessels distort vessel geometry and drift your readings.
BLH Nobel has engineered for exactly these conditions for decades. Our ATEX, IECEx, FM and CSA certified KIS load cells — built in stainless steel and designed to reject thermal expansion, agitation and side forces — deliver accurate, safe weighing across every classified zone in your plant, where precision and safety are both non-negotiable.
Certifications and compliance
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ATEX |
Certified for explosive atmospheres — Gas Zones 0, 1, 2 and Dust Zones 20, 21, 22. |
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IECEx |
Internationally recognised certification for global deployment. |
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Approved for North American hazardous area classifications (Class I/II, Div 1 & 2). |
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Ingress |
IP67 dust-tight and immersion-rated as standard; IP68 available for submerged or frequently flooded installations. |
Engineered for hazardous area performance
- Certified across all zones. KIS series load cells are available with ATEX, IECEx, FM and CSA certification covering gas Zones 0/1/2 and dust Zones 20/21/22 — so one standardised load cell family can be deployed across your entire plant.
- Corrosion-resistant construction. The KIS series is built in stainless steel with chrome-plated steel mechanics as standard and full stainless-steel mechanics available as an option — for continuous exposure to acids, caustic vapours, harsh detergents and aggressive powders.
- Proven double-cantilever accuracy. The KIS beam delivers 0.01% repeatability and 0.05% combined error or better, rejects side loads up to 100% of capacity and compensates for thermal expansion without stay rods or flexible connections — stable readings even during active agitation, heating and cooling.
- Reactor, tank and silo weighing. Purpose-built weigh modules for reactors, storage silos, blending tanks and process vessels, with the pre-engineered Tank Mount Series for fast, repeatable installation.
- Batch weighing and dosing. The G5 instrument supports Ethernet, Fieldbus, RS485 and analog output for closed-loop formulation control integrated directly with your DCS or PLC.
- Full environmental range. KIS load cells are available for temperatures down to -40°C and up to +100°C, covering cryogenic storage through high-temperature reactor applications.
Precision weighing across your chemical plant
- Reactor weighing and monitoring real-time reaction mass through aggressive agitation, thermal cycling and pipe forces, within ATEX-classified zones. Products: KIS-1 & KIS-2 load cells, ATEX junction boxes, G5 instrument.
- Silos, tanks and mixers raw-material inventory and ingredient dosing, with the double-cantilever design compensating for thermal expansion through fill, process and discharge cycles. Products: KIS-1 & KIMD-1 weigh modules, Tank Mount Series, G5 DIN rail mount.
- Process granules and powders contamination-free dosing of catalysts, pigments and additives with no internal product contact, for batch consistency and product quality. Products: KIS-2 load cell, pallet, floor and bench scales.
- High-volume batching repeatable, formulation-critical batching compatible with ATEX environments where heat, humidity and volatile substances are present. Products: KIS series, G5 panel mount, WIN5 indicator, custom batching software.
Understanding ATEX Zone Classification
Chemical plants are classified by how often an explosive atmosphere is present. BLH Nobel KIS load cells are certified across every classification.
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Frequency |
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0 / 20 |
Continuous |
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1 / 21 |
Frequent |
Explosive atmosphere likely during normal operation. The most common classification around reactors, mixing rooms and open vessels. |
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2 / 22 |
Infrequent |
Explosive atmosphere unlikely in normal operation, and only briefly if it occurs. Common in storage areas, loading bays and peripheral zones. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What ATEX certification is required for weighing equipment in chemical hazardous areas?
It depends on the zone: Zone 0/20 (continuous) requires the strictest intrinsic-safety level, Zone 1/21 (frequent) covers most reactor and mixing areas, and Zone 2/22 (infrequent) applies to storage and peripheral zones. KIS series load cells are available with ATEX, IECEx, FM and CSA certification covering all gas and dust zones, so a single standardised family can serve your whole plant.
How do I select load cells for corrosive chemical environments?
Prioritise material, ingress protection and cable sealing. Stainless steel with chrome-plated (or optional stainless) mechanics resists acids, solvents and caustic vapours; IP67 is the practical minimum, with IP68 for submerged installations. KIS load cells meet these as standard and can be configured for extreme corrosive conditions.
What is the difference between intrinsically safe and explosion-proof weighing systems?
Intrinsically safe (Ex i) systems limit the electrical energy in the circuit so no spark or thermal effect can ignite the atmosphere, even under fault — the preferred approach for load cells in Zones 0/1 and 20/21. Explosion-proof (Ex d) systems contain any ignition within a robust enclosure. KIS load cells use intrinsic-safety principles, while instrumentation and junction boxes are available in both configurations.
How do I keep weighing accurate during reactor agitation and thermal expansion?
Both agitation and thermal expansion distort readings from conventional load cells. The KIS beam’s symmetrical measuring element rejects side loads up to 100% of capacity and compensates for thermal expansion without stay rods or flexible connections, keeping measurements stable through mixing, heating and cooling cycles.
Specify the Right System for your Plant
Whether you are designing a new process line, upgrading legacy equipment or solving a measurement challenge in a classified area, our chemical industry specialists will help you identify the right certified load cells, instruments and system architecture.