PRACTICAL AND COMPUTER ASSESSMENTS OF IGNITION HAZARDS DURING TANK WASHING AND DURING WAVE ACTION IN PART-BALLASTED OBO CARGO TANKS

The theoretical, experimental and practical studies which were carried out at Culham Laboratory up to March 1973 on the mechanisms by which electrostatic hazards arise in the operation of large oil tankers are described. Theoretical calculations show that hazardous sparks (with energy above 0.2 mj) can be expected when fairly modest sized slugs of water, perhaps as small as 100 mm long, 20 mm diameter, arrive at a projection such as a washing machine in a tank filled with a typical charged mist. Hazards can also be expected during sloshing in part- ballasted tanks. Experimental studies show that the incendivity of electrostatic sparks is affected by the velocity of approach of the discharge surfaces. Radio techniques have been developed for monitoring the occurrence of electrostatic sparks.

• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  Radarweg 29
  Amsterdam,   Netherlands  1043 NX
• Authors:
  • Chubb, J N
• Publication Date: 1975-2

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 61-70
• Serial:
  • Journal of Electrostatics
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Atmosphere; Cleaning; Electrostatics; Hazards; Marine safety; Spark ignition engines; Storage tanks; Tankers
• Old TRIS Terms: Hazardous atmospheres; Tank cleaning; Tanker safety
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127438
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 18 1975 12:00AM