Some electrostatic considerations in the transportation of flammable liquids

✍ Scribed by Thomas H. Pratt; John G. Atharton

• Book ID: 105358795
• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 526 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1066-8527
• DOI: 10.1002/prs.680150312

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The transportation of flammable liquids in bulk quantities is a common operation in the chemical industry. Therefore a rather comprehensive set of regulations, standards, and recommended practices exists which govern how these operations should be performed. When transportation operations are performed in strict accordance with the directions given, occurrence of inadvertent ignitions have been rare, if nonexistent. On the other hand, there have been occasions when seemingly slight and innocuous deviations from the guidelines have been incorporated into an operation, resulting in catastrophic incidents. This paper discusses some of the guidelines concerning electrostatic ignitions of flammable liquids and illustrates specific case histories where such deviations have led to accidents. Two marine incidents, one rail car incident, and two tank truck incidents are presented in detail to amplify why strict adhrence to the regulations, standards and recommended practices is vital in operations where flammable liquids are transported.