STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
(OP)
I am in a debate with a co-worker about the static bulid-up / grounding of a metalic portable tote.
The product is extremly flammable, and has a very low MIE (min. ignition energy).
He feels that simply using an isolated plate in contact with the flowing product, in the following configuration: coupler- gasket- ballvalve- gasket- grouning plate- gasket- delivery pipe from tote body, will create a grounding of the product that will eliminate the need for grounding the unit or linking of the isolated components.
If that is correct discharge of the product onto the ground would not require grounding of any sort.
I am of the opinion that the components themselve are charged and that its the movement/flow that creates the charge and by simply grounding the flowing product will not eliminate the danger.
Could someone please offer up an opinion/advise or a reference that will either prove or disprove this theory.
The product is extremly flammable, and has a very low MIE (min. ignition energy).
He feels that simply using an isolated plate in contact with the flowing product, in the following configuration: coupler- gasket- ballvalve- gasket- grouning plate- gasket- delivery pipe from tote body, will create a grounding of the product that will eliminate the need for grounding the unit or linking of the isolated components.
If that is correct discharge of the product onto the ground would not require grounding of any sort.
I am of the opinion that the components themselve are charged and that its the movement/flow that creates the charge and by simply grounding the flowing product will not eliminate the danger.
Could someone please offer up an opinion/advise or a reference that will either prove or disprove this theory.





RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
Let me explain, what he wants to do is simply use an isolsted plate in contact with the flowing product that has a conductive strap attached from one of the tote legs to the plate. He is claiming that by equalizing the product with the tote that all other components [see the above valve train discription],will also balance out.
I say the product is in contact with the tote already and all this will do is equal out the plate that the strap is attached to. A balanced "zero/grounded" potential is what I am trying to achieve and I feel that "linking" all isolated member in the "train" is still needed to eliminate static buildup.
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
If I remember right, the idea is to ground everything to bring them all to the same potential, then make sure everything's bonded together to keep them at the same potential.
Like I said, the chemical industry knows all about preventing explosions when moving volatile stuff from one location to another.
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
You should be wearing an ESD wriststrap that's properly configured and grounded when doing the transfer operation. Ideally, you should also be wearing an ESD labcoat that has embedded wires to minimize any clothing ESD impacts.
TTFN
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RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
Johnny Pellin
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM
RE: STATIC BUILDUP/GROUNDING PROBLEM