static-electricity

Static electricity is kind of big deal on tankers. If you think it is just a hypothetical term, you would be wrong.

Shipping history has witnessed many incidents related to static electricity.

For example, a cargo tank of the vessel Fiona exploded when surveyor was manually measuring the temperature of the cargo. In the NTSB investigation, the reason for the explosion was found to be static electricity.

There are many other such incidents.

So what exactly is static electricity and why this is so big deal ?

Let us discuss. But before we do that we need to refresh some basic science.

Some basic science

To understand static electricity, we need to refresh some basic science. Knowledge of the basic science would help when we talk about relatively bigger terms.

But don’t worry, this will be just basic science and I won’t bore you with high dose of science.

What are atoms ?

All the matters in this world are made of atoms. Atoms consists of three things. Negatively charged electron, positively charged protons and neutral neutrons.

atom-structure-static-electricity

An atom has equal number of protons and electrons and thus is electrically neutral in nature. Neutrons and protons together makes the nucleus of an atom and electrons are present in the outer shells of an atom. Electrons are very very light (1:1800) as compared to the proton and neutron.

An atom never looses its protons and neutron and so the composition of its nucleus never changes.

But an atom may loose or gain electrons to or from other materials.

Since electrons are so light, these are easily released with small amount of energy. Friction is the most common way in which electrons are released from an atom.

electrons-and-atoms-static-electricity-on-tankers

What makes an object a conductor or insulator

I just said that electrons can be easily released from an atom. But this isn’t the case with atoms of all the elements.

Some atoms have the tendency to release electrons easily while others have tendency to accept electrons easily.

A conductor of electricity has loosely bound electrons in the outer shell of its atom. These electrons are looking to escape from the atom. So conductors have the affinity to release the electrons easily.

Non-conductors (Insulators) like plastic have tightly bound electron which do not release easily. Insulators can however accept the electrons.

Do you want to know why some materials have tendency to give up their electrons and other to receive the electrons ? Then you should know terms like electronic configuration of an atom and valency.

If you are interested in these terms you can read about that in detail but for the time being let us stick to our topic.

So if we rub a conductor and inductor together, some of the electrons would move from conductor to the inductor.

So let us summarise what I have said so far in these three points.

three-points-static-electricity

What is electricity

Electricity is flow of charge. Electron is the carrier of the charge because it carries a negative charge. If we can free an electron from an atom and force it to move, we have created the electricity.

What is static electricity

When two dissimilar materials are rubbed together, one may give up its electrons and other may receive these electrons.

The material that gives up electrons becomes positively charged. And the one that receives electrons becomes negatively charged.

So what would happen when two objects, one positively and other negatively charged come together ? The extra electrons from negatively charged particle would move to the positively charged material. This is because of nature of equilibrium. This flow of electrons (charge) is called static electricity.

This is a form of electricity because as I said the electricity is flow of charge.

Still not clear what static electricity is, watch this wonderful video.

Three stages of static electricity

Let us now simplify the process of generation of static electricity

  • Charge separation
  • Charge accumulation
  • Electrostatic discharge

static-electricity-three-stages

Charge separation

When two different materials come in contact, electron  may move from one material to another.

This process is called charge separation and is the first step for static electricity generation.

But for one material to give its electron and other to be able to receive electron, one material need to be conductor while other need to be insulator.

charge-separation-static-electricity

On board tankers charge separation can happen because of

  • Friction between the cargo and the pipeline during flow of cargo. In this case the pipeline loose the electron and cargo gains the electron and becomes negatively charged.
  • Friction between the cargo and tank top because of splashing during initial stage of loading. Again during splashing, the tank top gives electrons and cargo gains the electrons.
  • Steaming:  Steam is an insulator. When steam flows through the steam pipe, it attains a negative charge (I hope by this time you would know why ?)
  • mixing of two immiscible liquids: When two immiscible liquids are mixed together, charge separation can take place.

You will note that in all these situations of charge separation, one material is a conductor and other is insulator.

Charge accumulation 

I said that charge separation requires one insulator and one conductor. It isn’t that charge separation cannot take place in two conductors.

But in two conductors the separated charges recombine and neutralize almost immediately.

When an insulator has attained a negative charge, it takes time for it to release it because of the properties of the insulator. This time is called the relaxation time.

charge-accumulation

If a material (or cargo) cannot retain a charge for longer period, it will be of no concern to us. This is because, for spark generation there need to be sufficient charge accumulated.

So Charge can only be accumulated on inductors. Any charge accumulated on conductors is released at the first opportunity.

Electrostatic discharge

When two material with opposite charge come in contact, electrons shift from one material to another.  This process is called electrostatic discharge.

For this electrostatic discharge to take place, the two charges need to have a minimum distance between them. If two charges are separated by a large distance, these will not meet.

This distance depends upon how strongly the materials are charged. Or in more technical words, how much the voltage difference between two objects is. More the voltage difference, lesser distance is required for electrostatic discharge.

Electrostatic discharge is one thing. Electrostatic discharge to produce a spark is another thing.

For electrostatic discharge to produce a spark, there need to be certain amount of voltage difference between two charges.

spark-from-electrostatic-discharge-static-electricity

This again highlights the importance of presence of an inductor in this process. Inductors are able to retain a charge and thus will be able to create that voltage difference.

Sources of static electricity on board

While static electricity is present everywhere, it is of concern where flammable vapours may be present. Tankers will have the flammable vapours in the cargo tanks and so static electricity present a major hazard on tankers.

sources-of-static-charge-on-board

Let us discuss what are the sources of static electricity on tankers.

i) Static accumulator cargoes

Now if I was clear on what I said so far, you would know two things.

First, that only insulators can accumulate the electric charge.

Second, there has to be charge build up for the spark to take place during electrostatic discharge. Conductors cannot retain the charge and hence will not be the main reason to produce spark.

Insulator has the tendency to hold the charge and are the reason for the spark during electrostatic discharge.

Now the cargoes that are not good conductor of electricity would be able to hold the charge for longer period of time. These cargoes possess the hazard of static electricity.

These cargoes are called static accumulators.

static-accumulator-cargoes

ISGOTT has assigned a number to define static accumulator cargoes. As per ISGOTT, these are the cargoes that have conductivity of less than 50 picoSiemens/metre (pS/m).

ii) Free fall in the tank

If a cargo or ballast is loaded from the top in such a way of free fall into the tank, the cargo (or ballast) will splash. This produces a mist of electrically charged droplets in the ullage space of the tank.

To avoid the explosion, ISGOTT does not allow loading on top for static accumulator cargoes.

iii) Water Mist

Like free fall in the tank, water jet from the tank cleaning machines during tank cleaning also generate mist of electrically charged droplets.

iv) Inert gas

Inert gas can carry the electrically charged small particle with it. These particles can be carried into the tank along with the inert gas in to the tank.

v) Other sources

There can be number of other sources on board for static charges generation. And it is not possible to check if static charge exists or not. The best possible way is that whenever in doubt, assume static charge exists.

Precaution against static electricity

Whatever the reason of static electricity generation is, the more important thing is not to allow the explosion.

Even if the electrostatic discharge results in a spark generation, two more things need to be present for the explosion to occur

If the tanks are in inert condition, there are no specific precautions required for static electricity. This is because there is no oxygen inside the tank to support combustion.

Let us say tanks are not in inert condition and vessel is loading the static accumulator cargo. The flammable mixture and oxygen would be present inside the tank.

To avoid explosion due to static electricity, we need to take steps to

  • minimise the charge separation and charge accumulation
  • Avoid the electrostatic discharge

Let us see how we can achieve that

Minimising the charge separation and charge accumulation

I have already described how charge separation take place. By friction between two dissimilar material or by mixing of two immiscible liquids among many. If we understand the reason for static charge generation, we would understand the steps required to minimise these.

Linear velocity restriction

When a static accumulator cargo flows through the pipeline, the pipeline loose some of its electrons. The cargo gains these electrons and becomes negatively charged.

This cargo when enters the empty tank, it splashes. This again increases the static charge generation.

To avoid this static charge generation, we need to reduce the friction between the cargo and the pipeline. Also we need to reduce the splashing of the cargo in the tank. This can only be achieved by reducing the rate of flow.

ISGOTT requires that for loading static accumulator cargoes, we must restrict the linear velocity to

  • 1 m/s until the cargo is loaded to a level where there is no splashing during loading. This is generally possible when filling pipes and all other structures at the tank bottom has been submerged to twice the filling pipe diameter.
  • After all the splashing has stopped, linear velocity can be increased to maximum 7 m/s.

Calculating the maximum loading rate as per these linear velocities is not that difficult. Here is the calculation for loading rate through 10 inch pipe with linear velocity of 1 m/s.

Linear velocity of loading static cargo

The maximum loading rate for other size of pipeline diameter can be calculated in similar way

rates-for-1-m-per-second-static-electricity

When loading static accumulator cargoes, we must not increase the loading rate as per these linear velocities.

Avoiding free fall of the cargo in the tank

Free fall of the cargo from top of the tank causes splashing and thus static charge generation. So far as possible, we should not allow the free fall of the cargo into the tank.

In case of static accumulator cargoes, it is a must to load only through the bottom line unless the tanks are in inert condition.

Controlling the inert gas or air in the tank

The inert gas can carry some of the charged particles along with it. Introducing the inert gas in a tank that is already inert is of no danger.

But inerting the tank that is not inert and has flammable vapours can be dangerous because of static charge accumulation.

In this case controlling the rate of inert gas entering in the tank will be the best solution.

Bonding

Bonding of all equipments ensures that there is no charge separation.

Antistatic additives

Adding some chemicals can increase the conductivity of the cargo. If these chemicals are added to the static accumulator cargoes, these would no longer be static accumulators.

Irrespective of whether the antistatic additives are added or not, sip staff should treat these cargoes as static accumulator.

Avoiding the electrostatic discharge

We have done our best to reduce the static charge generation in the tank. But can we measure the charge in the tank ? No.

Even if we have minimised static charge generation in the tank, we can never be sure that spark will not generate if we introduce a metal object in the tank.

So taking the precautions for preventing electrostatic discharge is as important as controlling the static charge generation.

If we have loaded a conductive cargo, the charge accumulated will automatically be discharged through the tank sides. This is because

  • Tank sides are earthed as these are directly in touch with the seawater.
  • Conductive Materials (and cargoes) have the tendency to discharge the accumulated charge immediately.

This means that even if the charge is accumulated while loading these cargoes, it immediately gets discharged.

But this is not the case with cargoes that are poor conductor of electricity (Static accumulator cargoes). It takes some time for these cargoes to discharge the static charge accumulated.

Now what will happen if we

  • introduce a non-conductor material in the tank
  • introduce a conductor (Metal) in the tank

Non-conductor material will either be negatively charged same as the cargo or will be neutral.

If the this material and the cargo have same polarity of charge, there will not be any exchange of charge and thus no spark.

This is the reason that ISGOTT allows the tapes made of non-conductors for static accumulator cargoes without waiting for relaxation time.

Now if we introduce a metal in the tank, this metal will most likely be positively charged or neutral.  When this metal is introduced in the tank containing the static accumulator cargo, electrons will move from the cargo surface to the metal.

This transfer of electrons can result in a spark. So to avoid this spark we need to take few precautions

Allow 30 minutes of relaxation time

The charge accumulated on the cargo surface gets discharged through the tank sides which are earthed through the sea water.

But this process take time in case of static accumulator cargoes.

Before introducing any metal object in the tank, we need to allow this relaxation time. As per ISGOTT, we need to allow at least 30 minutes of relaxation time after all the movement of cargo in the tank is complete.

Only after 30 minutes of relaxation time, we can introduce any metal tapes inside the tank.

relaxation-time-for-static-cargo

If you have loaded a static accumulator cargoes, some vetting inspectors would ask for the time sheet at load port to check if 30 minutes of relaxation time was allowed before start of ullaging.

This relaxation time is not required if the sounding pipe extends to full height of the tank and is bonded at the bottom of the tank.

Conclusion

Static electricity is so real. Everyone have felt it at least once in their lifetime. We have touch the door know to get a shock.

We have played a trick to pick piece of paper with a plastic scale. We have seen it and we have felt it.

But after all this if we refuse to accept it as a risk on tankers, we are fooling ourself. Static electricity is a real risk on tankers and all the places where a spark can cause an explosion.

Knowledge of how static electricity is generated can help in taking steps to mitigate the risk of explosion due to static electricity.

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Capt Rajeev Jassal

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.

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34 Comments

2/o
2/o
8 years before

Its a standard tanker practice to use UTI for topping off. In a situation when vessel is loading static cargo in a non inert atmosphere, how can u top off using a UTI as u r supposed to wait 30 mins UPON COMPLETION! There is no practical way out if ur remote gauging system is unreliable! U will have to use UTI. U either risk explosion or an overflow!

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
8 years before

The point you made is very much valid but no matter what UTI is not to be used. UTI can be used if there is full depth sounding pipe fitted. If that is not fitted, there are other ways we use to ensure there is no overflow. Sighting glass (counting the steps to see the level if loading close to 98%), ensuring high level alarms are working, very slow loading rate for top up etc are the few ways to ensure that. If remote gauging is unreliable, we must not load these tanks to 98%, we should only load these tanks to 95% so when we hear 95% alarm, we stop the cargo.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
8 years before

There can be number of ways only if we make it a point that we will not follow an unsafe practice. If remote gauging is not reliable we must take the help of shore staff to get it rectified.

ASHISH ACHARYA
ASHISH ACHARYA
8 years before

In above case since loading is in progress, any static charge would have already been dissipated. So UTI can be introduced provided it is properly bonded so it remains at same electrostatic potential as of the tank. Only in case due to adverse weather if the ship has been struck with lightening, we need to give relaxation time of 30 minutes.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
8 years before

The charge will be released during loading if the cargo is not static accumulator. In case of static accumulator cargo the charge will take approx 30 minutes to release after there is no movement on the cargo. For this reason we need to wait for 30 minutes after all operations in the tanks have ceased before introducing any conductor inside the tank.

Cem Kutukoglu
Cem Kutukoglu
8 years before

Dear Jassal, first of all I would like to thank you for your outstanding writing. As Mr. Ashish Acharya has already mentioned above; UTI can be introduced into tank provided that it is bonded to plug. This ensures that there is no charge separation between the UTI and the tank i.e cargo.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
8 years before

Hi Cem. Thanks for your kind words. Regarding your view, you are right for non-static cargoes. This is because the cargo has same charge as the cargo tank as both are connected. But in case of static accumulators the charge is accumulated at the cargo surface and takes time to discharge through cargo tank surface. For this reason we need to wait for 30 minutes. But if there is full depth sounding pipe, then we do not need to wait.

Cem Kutukoglu
Cem Kutukoglu
8 years before

Thanks a lot for the clarification of the matter.

Dennis
Dennis
3 years before

If you find your automated tank measuring system unreliable then you could stop loading at an ullage about 1 meter (preferably less) before your final ullage. Wait for 30 minutes, take your check ullage by UTI and continue the loading, applying the correction you found in the ullage compairation. This is the only safe way to complete your loading.

ashish acharya
ashish acharya
7 years before

Sir, can u elaborate on insulation at manifold. At some terminals I have observed they place bonding cable on deck on bare metal, while at some terminal they don't.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

This was a vetting requirement earlier but it is not a requirement anymore. But some terminal still follow this requirement.

Rohin Batra
Rohin Batra
7 years before

Excellent article, very well written Capt.Rajeev

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Glad you liked it Rohin..

Vishal
Vishal
7 years before

Sir, sorry to notify you but the formula used for flow rate is wrong. Its pi*r2*h not pi*r/h. Nice explanation!

Ercan Altay
Ercan Altay
6 years before

Thanks

Capt. Parvinder Singh Bhatia
Capt. Parvinder Singh Bhatia
6 years before

You have mentioned that "Conductors have tendency to lose electrons. Inductors have tendency to accept electrons. Kindly note that Inductors and Insulators are different. When a conducting wire(a wire which is made of a substance that can pass electricity like copper. aluminium etc) is coiled around an iron core and a current is passed through it the setup gives rise to a magnetic field. This magnetic field if brought into proximity of another conductor has the ability to induce current into the second conductor. This effect is known as electromagnetic inductance and any arrangement which causes such inductance is termed as an inductor. An insulator simply means a substance which does not allow electricity to pass through it.

Baldev Choudhary
Baldev Choudhary
5 years before

Very informative topic and well explained .Even non tanker guys can understand by reading 2-3 times. Thanks.

Durul Topaktas
Durul Topaktas
4 years before

Good Day. As per the formula pi*r2*h*3600, some of the 1 m3/hr loading rates match but some does not. ie 200mm(8 inches) = 116 , 305mm(12 inches) = 262 but 410mm(16 inches) = 466 but written as 424, 510mm(20 inches) = 729 but written as 676 and 610mm(24 inches) = 1050 but written as 987. Am i missing something?

static charge removal systems
static charge removal systems
4 years before

Great content.Thanks for sharing this fruitful content. Visit for more information - https://www.advancetech.co.in/products/ssd-japan/static-charge-removal-systems/bf-ohp3b

Najmul Hossain mondal
Najmul Hossain mondal
4 years before

Sir your writing is so systematic that a non Mariner can understand.thank you

Diilesh Chander Rameschandrra
Diilesh Chander Rameschandrra
4 years before

Good Sharing

JHON
JHON
4 years before

This is amazing your article fir the comprehensive electricity for huge amount of supplier intensive publicity phenomenon and creditable.Risk Nucleus!

Ashwin Shetty
Ashwin Shetty
3 years before

Thanks a lot for explaining in simple words. Appreciate and respect.

Nishant Jadon
Nishant Jadon
3 years before

Best explanation... sir can you please write on ULLAGING, DIPPING, OPEN AND CLOSED SAMPLING as given in ISGOTT

ANAND SSJ
ANAND SSJ
2 years before

Sir, In this article some places u mentioned inductor will receive electrons, and some places insulator will receive electrons. Both are not same but I can't understand.

Oscar
Oscar
2 years before

Hello , I have a electrostatic problem it would be really helpfull if some one can clear this doubts that i have. So im filling a 10,000 liters politylene high density tank with ethanol 96% , pumped with a double diaphrgam pump of polipropilene (PP) and drived throught polopropilene random (PPR) pipe system. how can i neutralize or dishcarge the electrostatic accumulated in the pipeline and the tank ?

Realfind Trading
Realfind Trading
2 years before

Great Post!! I've read your blog, its very informative. I am so impressed to read this blog. thanks for sharing. More info https://www.realfindtrading.com

mrmamun
mrmamun
2 years before

This is very informative also attractive topics. it is help use electric products.electric

Mariner
Mariner
2 years before

Hello sir, Nicely explained. I had one doubt regarding half cut drum used at manifold during connection and disconnection. Should this be a Plastic or metal drum.

bensonhu
bensonhu
2 years before

Have any device to reduce the electrostatic in the pipeline transfertation? such as a tube static eliminator for oil pipeline?

talks
talks
2 years before

Well we really like to visit this site, many useful information we can get here. Talks

Joginder Singh
Joginder Singh
2 years before

Hey, Really it was an great article to read,Waiting for another one till that get more information about ,Keep it up!steam iron

aslam
aslam
2 years before

I am always searching online for storys that can accommodate me. There is obviously a multiple to understand about this. I feel you made few salubrious points in Attributes moreover. Detain busy, awesome career! Elektricien leiden

reyhan
reyhan
1 year before

thanks alot of information goodjobs.. keren

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