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Chemical & Petrochemical
The chemical and petrochemical sector relies on the efficient transportation, handling and processing of many hazardous and highly flammable chemical products.
Supply chain activities like the transfer of chemical to and from road tankers and railcars; filling, mixing and blending in drums or IBCs, and minor operations like dispensing solvents from safety cans generate hazardous levels of static electricity. The most effective way of eliminating the risk of static caused fires and explosions is to use modern fit for purpose static control equipment.
Customer Testimonials
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In 2006, we decided that we needed a full review of more than fifty Brenntag North American facilities across the
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Univar Solvents originally started using Newson Gale products following a recommendation from BP Chemicals at
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Static Hazards
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Road tankers are capable of storing large amounts of electrostatic charges that result from the transfer of large volumes of charged liquids and powders. Ungrounded road tankers can discharge incendive static sparks above 1000mJ of energy into potentially flammable and combustible atmospheres if the container body is not correctly grounded. |
| Vacuum trucks and tank trucks often have to transfer combustible material without the presence of an installed static ground monitoring system. The Earth-Rite MGV is a truck mounted system that can verify that objects it is connected to (e.g. ground rods, pipes running into ground) will function as a reliable static earth ground for the truck. | |
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Large conductive bodies like railcar tanks are capable of storing large amounts of electrostatic charges if the tank is not correctly grounded. Vibration pads, bearings and anti-friction greasing isolate container bodies from the rail tracks impeding their capacity to dissipate hazardous electrostatic charges. |
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The mixing or blending of 2 phase solids and liquids generate hazardous levels of electrostatic charges on vessels and material being processed. Vessels operating in potentially flammable and combustible atmospheres should be fully grounded to ensure electrostatic charges are not permitted to accumulate on the vessel. For large volumes it is advisable to interlock the grounding equipment with the motor or other safety measures like emergency sounders. |
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Filling IBCs and large containers with flammable liquids has the potential to generate a serious fire hazard if the IBC is not correctly grounded. Wherever possible output contacts should be used to stop filling should the IBC lose its ground connection thereby preventing the rapid accumulation of static charges on the IBC. |
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Powder conveying and filling generates high levels of electrostatic charge on FIBC bags. It is essential that Type C FIBC bags regularly used in potentially combustible or flammable atmospheres are capable of dissipating electrostatic charges to ensure the powder or FIBC bag is not capable of releasing high energy static sparks or propagating brush discharges into the local atmosphere. |
