Safety in the Plant
Managing Static Electricity Risk during Mixing and Blending Processes
Static electricity is generated silently and unintentionally by virtually all operations and processes involving movement – for example product transfer, mixing and size reduction. Industries where powders and solvents are used in key processes are at particular risk due to the hazardous nature of the materials. Fires and explosions can occur as a result of uncontrolled static discharge from plant, people and materials, and these commonly result in civilian injuries and fatalities, as well as significant financial losses in direct property damage and plant downtime.
In facilities where flammable or combustible materials are being transferred from one container to another, both vessels should be effectively bonded and grounded to prevent discharge sparks of static electricity. Accumulation of charge is always prevalent when you have moving fluids or solids and the potential for discharge is always a risk. The most important action
an operator can take to control static electricity is to ensure any conductive objects are connected to a verified earth. Those who ignore the dangers of electrostatic discharge in hazardous environments jeopardise staff and infrastructure alike. Due to the flow of product, static charge can build up on both the materials being transferred from a drum and an equal and opposite charge on the container itself. A build-up will eventually develop, enough to discharge a spark onto an object held at a different potential in an attempt to equalise the charge. This spark could cause a dust cloud to ignite in a pharmaceutical plant during transfer, or liquid in a paint mixing facility, resulting in an explosion or fire.
Eliminate the Risk; Remove the Charge Product build-up and protective coatings on process equipment can impede the integrity of grounding clamp connections to verified earth. As a result, material on an isolated conductor such as paint on a
Protect your people, plant and processes
Stay SAFE from STATIC Working in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical or food and beverage industries? From manual handling to industrial processing, the risk of generating static electricity is ever present. Transferring or mixing gases, liquids or solids, particularly in hazardous areas, could see a spark discharge, causing an explosion in your plant.
Let Newson Gale help you mitigate such risks, using certified grounding and bonding clamps, visual verification systems and interlocking control units.
Are you protected? Don't compromise on safety, discuss your installation and arrange a FREE SITE VISIT: call +44 (0)115 940 7500 today!
Leading the way in hazardous area static control
www.newson-gale.co.uk |
www.newson-gale.de
ENQUIRY NO. 31 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
NG IPR Advert 180x120mm 10 September 2018 10:50:45
www.reviewonline.uk.com 31
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