Electrostatic Hazards in Liquids and Relevance to Process Chemistry

Wherever there is flow of a liquid, there is the possibility of generating a static charge within it. The rate of flow, the conductivity of the liquid, and the diameter of the vessel/pipe have a dramatic effect on the electrostatic build up. Even though the system may be grounded, static charge can still accumulate and can often discharge in the form of a spark. This can lead to a number of problems in terms of process manufacture from the pitting of the vessel to the possibility of a fire where a flammable atmosphere is present. This report aims to highlight a number of issues with static buildup in liquids and the techniques, which can be used to minimise these hazards.