Static Electricity as Ignition source for Flammable Liquids and Gases
Static electricity at a fundamental level, is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material. It occurs when certain materials are rubbed against each other, causing electrons to transfer from one material to the other. This transfer of electrons results in one material becoming positively charged and the other becoming negatively charged.
Static electricity is important to understand for several reasons, such as the shock you receive when touching a metal object after walking on a carpet, the clinging of clothes together after being dried in a dryer, or the attraction of dust particles to a TV screen.
Static electricity principles are applied for use in certain industrial applications, such as in electrostatic painting, where it is used to apply a coating to surfaces, and in electrostatic precipitators to remove particulate matter from industrial exhaust gases.
While may be favourable in certain situations, one of the most significant risks that Static electricity poses is in the explosive or flammable environments where a charge separation can cause significant Hazard to personnel and or equipment. This is where ESD Control Systems’ products and solutions come into play offering hazard monitoring and prevention. The hazard situations include environments where flammable gases or liquids are present. Generation of electrostatic discharge (sparks) could ignite the flammable gases or liquids, causing instant fires or explosions that are fatal. Oftentimes, these cannot be diagnosed or root caused effectively due to wide scale destructions these explosions may cause. Understanding Static electricity and circumstances when and how it is generated is crucial to designing safety measures to prevent such catastrophic incidents. The challenge for quality and safety organizations across industries is awareness about impacts of Static electricity and how to contain it. ESD Control Systems has pioneered this area for over several decades to provide need based (custom) instrumentation and solutions to a variety of industries and applications.
ESD Control Systems is a leader in certified advanced ESD product solutions and offers safety audit services, accident investigations, learning, and Training Programs – catering to the Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Defense, and Space and Electronics industries. ESD Control Systems’ Mission is to be the Static Dissipation Solution Provider for the World
ESD Control Systems is a leader in certified advanced ESD product solutions and offers safety audit services, accident investigations, learning, and Training Programs – catering to the Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Defense, and Space and Electronics industries. ESD Control Systems’ Mission is to be the Static Dissipation Solution Provider for the World
