Abstract
Diesel fuel in motion when is transporting by pipes when is mixing, pumping, filtering, agitating or by pouring them from one vessel to another can generate static charges. Also, static electricity may occur if the liquid is splashes and forms a mist inside the tank. Accumulation of static electricity can, under certain conditions, be discharge and ignite the flammable/explosive atmosphere. Ignition hazards from static discharges can be eliminated by controlling the generation or accumulation of static charges or by eliminating a flammable mixture where static electricity may be discharged. Factors that need to be considered to reduce the risk of ignition sunt flammability characteristics of explosive atmosphere (the vapor pressure, flash point, temperature, and pressure) and the factors that determine the charging of static electricity (fuel type, electrical conductivity, sulfur content, viscosity, vehicle process: flow rate, pipe diameter, filters, pumps, spark promoters). In this paper are presented some aspects regarding the technical, organizational requirements and responsibilities of the personnel designated to prevent the formation and accumulation of static electricity when loading diesel fuel tanks, starting from a case study, respectively some explosions which occurred to a company during the loading operation.
Highlights
Flammable liquids, such as liquid hydrocarbons may generate an explosive atmosphere if they are handled at a temperature higher than their flash point
Diesel fuel has a relatively high flash point of 55° C as compared to gasoline, which has a very low flash point of -23° C. This means that the risk of explosion is reduced when handling diesel fuel, given that diesel fuel is safer than gasoline
That in most cases the flammable atmosphere was not generated by the diesel fuel, but rather by residues of gasoline or gasoline vapors as a result of gasoline having been previously handled with the same equipment
Summary
Flammable liquids, such as liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., gasoline, diesel fuel) may generate an explosive atmosphere if they are handled at a temperature higher than their flash point. Diesel fuel has a relatively high flash point of 55° C as compared to gasoline, which has a very low flash point of -23° C This means that the risk of explosion is reduced when handling diesel fuel, given that diesel fuel is safer than gasoline. A series of incidents occurred when road tankers were being loaded with diesel fuel It was proven, that in most cases the flammable atmosphere was not generated by the diesel fuel, but rather by residues of gasoline or gasoline vapors as a result of gasoline having been previously handled with the same equipment. According to the Directive 1999/92/CE, the employer must perform an assessment of the explosion risk in order to establish the appropriate protective measures [1,2,3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
