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    Process Safety Beacon - July 2016 PDF

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    Vu Hoang Vo

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Process Safety Beacon - July 2016 PDF

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    Vu Hoang Vo
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    Process Safety Beacon - July 2016.pdf

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    680 views1 page

    Process Safety Beacon - July 2016 PDF

    Uploaded by

    Vu Hoang Vo

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    This issue sponsored by

    www.aiche.org/ccps

    http://www.aiche.org/CCPS/Publications/Beacon/index.aspx

    Messages for Manufacturing Personnel

    A little static can cause a big fire!

    www.iomosaic.com
    August 2016

    There have been many incidents where a static electric discharge was the likely ignition source for a fire or
    explosion. In 2007, two incidents were investigated by the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB)1. One was
    caused by poor grounding of an intermediate bulk container (portable tank) while filling with a flammable
    solvent (1), and the other by a poorly grounded level float in a storage tank which was being filled from a tank
    truck (2). Other incidents have been caused by poor grounding/bonding of tanks, portable containers, tank
    trucks, railroad tank cars, and static discharge from people.
    1

    CSB Report numbers 2008-02-I-IA and 2007-06-I-KS, www.csb.gov.

    Did you know?

    What can you do?

    Static charge is generated by contact and separation


    of two different materials. Once generated, charge
    may remain on the materials until it finds a lower
    electrical potential, then it discharges. The spark can
    have enough energy to ignite flammable vapors,
    gases, or a combustible dust cloud.
    Static can be generated by fluids flowing through
    pipes, solids through ducts, and even by air flowing
    through ductwork or pneumatic conveyors.
    Mechanical conveying systems can generate static
    by rollers and belts contacting each other, especially
    if they slide over each other.
    Static sparks may be felt (a sharp zap), seen (small
    bluish arcs), or heard (a snapping sound).
    Non-conductive liquids such as benzene, toluene,
    and naphtha, generate static much more easily and
    dissipate charge more slowly compared to conductive fluids, such as water, alcohols, and acetone.
    Poorly grounded and bonded hoses are a frequent
    contributor to creating static.

    Always follow your plant grounding and bonding


    procedures before any material transfer operation.
    Make sure that grounding/bonding equipment in
    your plant is regularly inspected and tested.
    Inspect grounding/bonding equipment before each
    use to ensure it is in proper working order and that
    it attaches firmly (metal to metal) to the container.
    If it is frayed, or has a poor connection to ground,
    notify your supervisor.
    Inspect hoses prior to use. A damaged hose may
    have a broken grounding wire inside. Hoses should
    be regularly checked for electrical continuity.
    Non-metallic containers (for example, plastic or
    glass) are difficult to ground and bond. When
    using these containers, exercise additional caution
    and follow procedures. If there is no grounding
    specified, ask why not.
    If handling solids in plastic bags or with plastic
    liners in paper bags, ask an engineer for advice on
    proper procedures to prevent static sparks.

    Managing static a key part of reducing ignition sources!


    AIChE

    2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction for non-commercial, educational purposes is encouraged. However, reproduction for any
    commercial purpose without express written consent of AIChE is strictly prohibited. Contact us at [email protected] or 646-495-1371.
    The Beacon is usually available in Arabic, Afrikaans, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
    Malay, Marathi, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

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