AN INVESTIGATION OF ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE GENERATION DURING CARGO TANK WASHING ON THE J.T. HIGGINS

This report deals with the electrostatic phenomena generated during tank washing. The washing was done in unused, epoxy-coated tanks aboard the 210,000 DWT vessel on her maiden voyage. The approximate sea water temperatures used in tank washing was 14 deg C, 33 deg C, and 55 deg C as determined by the sea temperatures of the North Atlantic, equator and steam heated water. Gunclean and/or Butterworth cleaning machines were used alone or in combinations under the three temperature variations. Course was also varied from N-S to E-W directions. While varying the water temperature, cleaning machine and course, electrical and optical measurements were performed. These included electric field and current probe measurements, radio detection of spark and/or corona discharges, photomultiplier tube spark detection, and optical surveillance with movie cameras and closed circuit TV. Other measurements included temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity readings, voltage checks on cleaning machines, resistance checks between salt water on epoxy-coated bottom and steel, and magnetic field checks in tank with course change.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report supplemented by "Electrostatic Tests During Cargo Tank Washing on the James E. O'Brien", MRIS #043960.
• Corporate Authors:

  Chevron Research Company

  576 Standard Avenue, P.O. Box 1627
  Richmond, CA  United States  94802
• Authors:
  • Klaver, R F
  • Mariotta, C S
  • Offermann, P F
• Publication Date: 1970-5-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 45 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Electric discharge; Electrostatics; Storage tanks
• Old TRIS Terms: Electric corona; Tank cleaning
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00043957
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Mine Safety Appliances Research Corporation
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 4 1973 12:00AM