Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection Issues Caused by Chemical Explosions
Today, a chemical reagent factory used toluene as a raw material in its production process. The factory's method of adding toluene to a reaction vessel (a reaction vessel, broadly understood as a container undergoing physical or chemical reactions, designed and configured to achieve the required heating, evaporation, cooling, and low-to-high-speed mixing functions) was as follows: toluene was first filled into a metal cylinder, then the cylinder was transported to the reaction vessel, and compressed air was used to force the toluene from the metal cylinder through a plastic hose into the reaction vessel. During one operation, a powerful explosion occurred, followed by a violent fire that lasted for nearly two hours, resulting in heavy casualties. Analysis revealed that the explosion was caused by an ESD spark. The flow rate of toluene in the plastic hose exceeded the safe flow rate for electrostatic discharge by more than three times. The toluene, carrying a high density of static electricity, was injected into the reaction vessel, easily generating an ESD spark sufficient to ignite toluene vapor.
This explosion was preventable. With proper ESD protection measures, we can avoid or reduce the occurrence of accidents during the transportation of chemicals. So how can we prevent such accidents? First, reduce the amount of static electricity generated: such as limiting liquid flow rate and ensuring pipes are smooth and straight; increase air humidity, especially in northern regions where the air is relatively dry in autumn and winter, it is important to control air humidity within a certain range. Workers should wear anti-static work clothes. These are mainly to prevent the accumulation of static electricity on clothing, and are made of special polyester filaments and high-performance permanent conductive fibers, providing excellent anti-static effects.
Additionally, our company's anti-static static dischargers can also effectively release static electricity from the human body. As shown below, an anti-static human body discharge ball:
