swern017 Earthing =e ore inane is Earthing This Technical Measures Document refers to codes and standards applicable to earthing of plant. Related Technical Measures Documents include: + Hazardous area classification / flameproofing!] + Explosion reliefl@l The relevant Level 2 Criteria are 5.2.1.11(64)f19) and 5.2.1.134 General principles Earthing can classified in two ways: + System earthing; + Equipment earthing. System earthing is essential to the proper operation of the system, whereas equipment earthing concems the safety of personnel and plant. A key function of equipment earthing is to provide a controlled method to prevent the build up of static electricity, thus reducing the risk of electrical discharge in potentially hazardous environments. Generally, a resistance to earth of less than 10 W will ensure safe dissipation of static electricity in all situations. Flammable liquids transfer The major hazard involved with the transfer of flammable liquids is the build up of static due to charge separation with potential for discharge resulting in fire and subsequent loss of containment. Certain non- polar liquids can be charged, e.g. while flowing through pipelines. Detectable and hazardous charges must be expected if the specific resistance of the liquid exceeds 108 W.m The potential for accumulation of static charges may strongly increase if the liquid contains a non- miscible component or a suspended solid. Examples include: + Crystallisation processes in toluene; + Quantities of water in toluene. htp-twwwhse. govuklcomahisraglechtechmeasearthing.him 9swetre0%7 Earthing With the presence of a second phase, velocities less than 1 m/s should be employed. Measures that can be employed to reduce these hazards include: + Ensure that the pipe transferring the liquid is completely filled to exclude the formation of explosive mixtures; + Wherever possible ensure no contaminants / solids are present; + Utilise inert gas blanketing; + When transferring flammable liquids by ‘blowing across’ use an inert gas; + Avoid mechanical mixing or agitation of low conductivity liquids wherever possible; + Use of ball valves with earthed metal spheres; + Employ low transfer velocities. For only partially filled pipes, or pipes which discharge into containers, the velocity is to be limited as follows: + For chargeable esters: maximum 10 m/s; + For mineral oil products (e.g. gasoline, petrol, kerosene, paraffin, jet fuel) and for other chargeable liquids (excluding carbon disulphide and ether) £40 |50 |80 |100 200 |400 | 600 7.0 |60/36 |30 |18 |13 | 1.0 £600 | 800 | 1100 | 1600 3500 | 10000 | 17000 If these velocities are adhered to, no hazardous charges will be generated within homogenous liquids. But when suspensions of crystals in non-conductive liquids are conveyed, hazardous charges may always be generated, even at velocities below 1 mis. + For ether and carbon disulphide in pipelines up to a diameter of 25 mm, the maximum velocity should not exceed 1m/s. Larger pipes require lower velocities; + Ageneral rule for all homogeneous liquids (except carbon disulphide and ether) and all pipelines: at velocities below 1 mis, no dangerous charges will be generated; + Flanges should be earth bonded; + Use sub-surface dip pipes or bottom entry filling when discharging into vessels; + Ensure regular inspection and testing of earth bonding. Powder transfer htp-twwwhse. govuklcomahisraglechtechmeasearting.him 29swetre0%7 Earthing Further information can be found in the Technical Measures Document on Explosion Relief!) Powder transfer can be carried out by several different methods: + Screw conveying; + Vacuum transfer; + Pneumatic conveying; There are two distinct types of pneumatic conveying used for powder transfer, namely low pressure / dilute phase or high pressure / dense phase. Low pressure / dilute phase systems tend to employ high system velocities ranging from 10 to 25 m/s, whereas high pressure / dense phase systems tend to employ low system velocities ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 mis. Intensive charging of the conveyed material and pipeline is possible during pneumatic powder transfer potentially resulting in: + Electrostatic discharge between conductive parts (e.g. between metal flanges and a part of the steel structure of the building); + Entrainment of considerable charges into receiving containers. Powders can be divided into three groups depending upon the volume resistivity of the material of which the particles are composed. These groups are: + Low resistivity powders, e.g. metals having volume resistivities up to about 10° W.m; + Medium resistivity powders, e.g. many organic powders, such as flour, having volume resistivities in the approximate range 10° W.m to 109 W.m; + High resistivity powders, e.g. certain organic powders, many synthetic polymers and some minerals, such as quartz, having volume resistivities above about 10° W.m. Measures that reduce these hazards include: Ensure pipelines used for pneumatic conveying are made from metal with good earth bonding. Resistance to ground for all conductive components should be < 10 ohms; Ground all operators loading powder so that their resistance to ground is < 1 x108 ohms; Avoid use of insulating coatings on the inner surfaces of metal containers and pipelines; Use plastic flanges with plastic transfer lines; Avoid use of coating or sheathing on pipelines constructed of insulating material; htp-twwwhse. govuklcomahisraglechtechmeasearting.him a9