Static electricity

.se  .static electricity

static electricity may happen in a chemical tanker in 5 different steps :

1. An electrostatic charge is generated in the liquid as it flows turbulently through the loading pipeline into the ship’~tank.
In most liquids the charge is released instantaneously to earth* because the liquid conducts it.

2. But in some cases, the charge is accumulated in the liquid because the liquid has a low electrical conductivity. Such liquids are called static accumulators, and are generally found among more highly refined products. An electrostatic field is formed inside the tank.

3. A non-bonded projecting object, or something introduced into the tank, can become a potential electrode or spark promoter, collecting the charge from the liquid.

4. When close enough to an earth* the spark promoter instantaneously releases its charge in a spark through the atmosphere of the tank.

5. Such a spark will almost certainly have enough energy to ignite a flammable vapour. In chemical tanker operations, a flammable atmosphere may be unavoidable.