Chlorine gas plays a key role in the disinfection of drinking and industrial water. However, handling the chemical can pose considerable health risks – from irritation of the eyes to fatal pulmonary oedema. To further improve occupational safety during use, Lutz-Jesco has developed the VakuStop – a vacuum regulator for dosing systems that is equipped with an emergency stop function to prevent uncontrolled chlorine gas leaks directly at the chlorine gas tank in the event of an emergency.
The new VakuStop is based on the C2213/14 vacuum regulator, which Lutz-Jesco has upgraded by adding an automatic safety valve. The system is designed as a compact device that can be fitted to the valve of a chlorine gas tank in just a few simple steps. It can also be connected to a gas warning device or the PLUS safety blow-off valve. In normal operation, the vacuum regulator enables the controlled dosing of up to 10 kg of chlorine gas (CI2) per hour into the piping system provided that there is a sufficient vacuum in the dosing line. If the negative pressure drops, for example due to a leakage, the chlorine supply is automatically interrupted. If chlorine gas escapes due to a defect in the dosing system, the electric safety valve of the VakuStop closes immediately, preventing any further escape of gas. This emergency-off function is also triggered in the event of a chlorine alarm, a cable break, if overpressure is detected or if the pushbutton is actuated. In these cases, a stop lever clearly protrudes from the housing as an indicator to signal the interruption. The valve only opens again when an employee operates the lever manually after eliminating the cause of the fault. “Chlorine gas can present a serious risk to human health – from irritation of the eyes and skin to life-threatening pulmonary oedema. With the new VakuStop, we are helping to minimise the risks involved in handling chlorine gas and further improve occupational safety in the industry,” says Heinz Lutz, CEO of Lutz Holding GmbH.
Lutz-Jesco offers the new VakuStop as part of a comprehensive safety system to increase the safety of larger chlorine gas systems. The centrepiece is a control unit that connects to a gas warning device and up to twelve VakuStops. In the event of a chlorine alarm, the control unit can close all twelve safety valves simultaneously – even during a power failure. The control unit is available with an optional integrated uninterrupted power supply (UPS). This uses twelve safety valves to guarantee safety at full loads.
