Hazard of Electrostatic charge

Static electricity is defined as a non-moving, non-flowing electrical charge or in simple terms,

electricity at rest. A stationary electrical charge that is built up on the surface of a material by friction.
Static electricity is the electric charge generated when there is friction between two things made of
different materials or
substance by repeated contact and separation between unlike materials like a flat belt on a rotating
pulley.
Electric charges can build up on an object or liquid when certain liquids move in contact with other
materials. This can
occur when liquids are poured, pumped, filtered, agitated, stirred and flow through pipes. This buildup
of charge is called
static electricity.
Static electricity is generated when liquids flow through pipes, valves and filters as they are
transferred. It can also be
generated by splashing or agitation, as well as entrained water or air or suspension of sediment from
the bottom of a tank.
The amount of charge that develops depends, on how much liquid is involved and how fast is it
flowing or being agitated or stirred.
- The rate of static charge generation is directly proportional to (Flow)
- Depending on circumstances it can be a nuisance or a hazard.
- The following factors are responsible for fire & explosion hazard due to electrostatic charge:
a. Can a static electric charge be generated under the operating conditions
b. Can the charge accumulate
c. If it discharges will it cause a spark
d. Is there an ignitable mixture in the area
Most flammable liquid vapors have minimum ignition energy (MIE) in the range of 0.15-1.15 mj.
Whereas the little shock we get sometime from the doorknob is about 25 mili joules (mj).
- Solvents and fuels are two types.(a) Conductive fluid (b) Non conductive fluid
- Non Conductive fluids are more hazardous.
- Solvents and fuels produced from petroleum (e.g. benzene, petrol, toluene, mineral spirits) can build
up a charge when they are poured or flow through hoses. They tend to hold a charge because they
cant conduct electricity well enough to
discharge when in contact with a conducting material like a metal pipe that is grounded. When enough
of a charge is
buildup, a spark may result. If the vapor concentration of the liquid in air is in the flammable range and
the spark has enough energy, a fire or explosion can result.
- Normal bonding and grounding procedures used when transferring liquids may not be sufficient to
prevent ignition from
static electricity with non conductive flammable liquids.
- Velocity is the no#1 safe guard. Velocity in which the non-conductive material travels through the
pipe/hose/vessel shall
not to exceed 5 m/s.
- To reduce the potential of fire and explosion when handling non-conductive flammable liquids, safety
measures must be
followed are:
- Purge storage tanks with an inert gas (such as Nitrogen or Carbon Dioxide) to remove oxygen.
- Add antistatic agents to non-conductive flammable liquids.
- Pump liquids more slowly to prevent static electricity buildup.
- Ensure that storage tank level floats and any other tank appurtenances that could potentially cause a
spark are effectively bonded.

- Earthing - An object is grounded when it is connected to the earth through a connecting wire.
- Bonding is done by making an electrical connection from one metal container to the other. This
ensures that there will be no difference in electrical potential between the two containers and
therefore no spark will be formed.
- The best way to bond containers is to securely attach a special metal bonding strap or wire to both
containers. This can
also be done by keeping a solid metal-to-metal contact between the containers.
- Solvents that are soluble in water or can dissolve some water themselves do not buildup static
electricity as they become
conductive. Examples are alcohols , ketones and acetone.