Electrostatic discharge ignition

D. Skiimer, D. Olson, and A. Block-Bolten, Electrostatic discharge ignition of energetic materials. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 23, 34 (1998). 

Where employees work in zoned areas they are provided with appropriate clothing that does not create a risk of an electrostatic discharge igniting the explosive atmosphere... 

Stray Electrical Currents and Induced Radio Frequency Currents. For information on stray currents see API 2003 [3j. For information on both hazards see the author s review Sources of Ignition in [157]. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Damage to Electronic Equipment. Marine Tankers and Barges (see [5] ISGOTT ). 

During the test, hydrogen flow rate was raised to a maximum of approximately 55 kg/s (120 Ib/s). About 23 seconds into the experiment, a reduction in flow rate began. Three seconds later, the hydrogen exploded. Electrostatic discharges and mechanical sparks were proposed as probable ignition sources. The explosion was preceded by a fire observed at the nozzle shortly after flow rate reduction began. The fire developed into a fireball of modest luminosity, and an explosion followed immediately. 

Initiation by Electrostatic Discharge. Jackson (quoted in Vol 5, E45) found the max nonignition voltage and non-ignition energy for... 

An electrostatic dust ignition can occur when the discharge releases sufficient thermal energy within a sufficiently short period of time and small volume to ignite the suspended dust. Electrostatic ignition is complicated by the fact that there are a number of distinct ESD mechanisms important in electrostatic hazards and hazard abatement (Glor, 1988). 

Ad 168) G.B. Young S.J. Lubinski, USP 3317360(1967) CA 67, 5265(1967) (Ignition charges for electric blasting caps, claimed to be resistant to electrostatic discharges, can be prep from amorphous B and of Pb oxides in the following mixt ranges ... 

In order to determine which expls are capable of ignition by an electrostatic discharge of an energy amounted to 100000 ergs, or less it. is necessary to subject each prospective expl to the following energy requirement test . For this a layer of the expl is spread in thickness of 0.010 inch on a steel plate and is separated by a a short gap from a steel needle. This needle is so arranged that it can be thrown into a closed circuit with a condenser of known capacity, on... 

Electric Spark Sensitivity to. MF is capable of being ignited by a spark from a person charged to less than 5000 volts, a condition that is possible in plant operations. Brown et al (Ref 27) give for Sensitivity to Electrostatic Discharge 0.025 joules (Ref 34)... 

For a fixed distance, sparking occurs at a critical voltage leading to smoke, flame, flash, crackling, decomposition, ignition or explosion. This critical voltage is a measure of electric spark or electrostatic discharge sensitivity of the explosive under test [71-73]. 

Some pyrotechnic formulations Ti/KDN/NC and Ti/CsDN/NC were formulated and tested for combustion velocity, sensitivity to impact, friction and electrostatic discharge etc. The data show that both formulations are extremely sensitive to impact (the sensitivity being in the range of pure HMX and PETN ). Further, it is also seen that the Ti/KDN/NC formulation is less sensitive [145] than Ti/ CsDN/NC. On the contrary, the formulations show a moderate sensitivity to friction and electrostatic discharge. The evaluation of such systems as components in ignition formulations appear to be very promising as this may allow replacement of the heavy metal primary explosives which are toxic in nature. 

Highest Electrostatic Discharge Energy at 5000 Volts for Zero Ignition Probability for Representative Materials... 

Results of tests giving the highest electrostatic discharge energies at 5000 volts for zero ignition propagation for various materials, are given in Table E6, which is complied from table 1 of Ref 4 and Table 3 of Ref 13... 

Electrostatic Discharge Energy and Voltage for Zero Ignition... 

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