Electrostatic Hazards in the Chemical Industry

Many processes and operations in a chemical plant involve handling and processing of liquids and powders, most of which could under certain conditions be flammable.  Flammable gas, vapor, and dust cloud atmospheres can be ignited if a sufficiently energetic ignition source is present.  It is noteworthy that most flammable gas/vapor atmospheres and some dust clouds can ignite by very small energy ignition sources.  One potential ignition source that, in many cases could be an inherent part of the process/operation is an electrostatic discharge.  Electrostatic discharges result from the generation and accumulation of electrostatic charges.   Electrostatic charge generation most commonly occurs whenever two materials, liquids and/or solids, make and then break contact with each other.  The accumulation of the electrostatic charge can result in electrostatic discharges.  This suggests that there are many occasions during the transfer, handling, processing, and packaging of flammable liquids and powders in a chemical plant flash fire and explosion hazards exist. 

This presentation shall discuss the practical measures that can be considered to prevent/control electrostatic problems and ignition hazards that are associated with liquid and powder handling operations in the chemical industry.