REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF THE LITERATURE ON ELECTROSTATIC GENERATION IN TANK CLEANING

Explosions that occurred in three very large crude tankers in December, 1969, called attention to a probable electrostatic problem related to washing operations in the large tanks. Much of the effort subsequently applied in the study of this problem has been influenced by the fact that these explosions occurred in large tankers. However, explosions also have occurred on small crude carriers during washing operations. Static electricity was suspected in at least one of the smaller tanker incidents although falling anodes usually have been blamed for such incidents. Acceptance of this simple explanation possibly prevented earlier recognition of the spark hazard due to static electricity. The report is based on a review of literature available at Battelle and supplied by the U.S. Coast Guard. The purpose of this review has been to establish what is known with a degree of certainty and from this review to determine, if possible, what sort of information is still needed and what investigations should be made to provide a practical and certain solution for the static problem in tankers. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are given. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Battelle Columbus Laboratories

  505 King Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43201
• Authors:
  • REIF, R B
  • Hawk, S A
• Publication Date: 1974-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 41 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Electrostatics; Explosions; Marine safety; Storage tanks; Tankers
• Old TRIS Terms: Explosion prevention; Tank cleaning; Tanker safety
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057210
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-23,223-A
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 1974 12:00AM