An experimental and computational investigation of electrostatic fields in plastic tanks during filling with low conductivity fuel

Abstract When charged low-conductivity liquids are pumped into insulating storage tanks, charge accumulation will occur. The electrostatic potential and field distributions within such a tank will depend on many factors, such as tank geometry, flow rates, internal structures, conductivities of both liquid and tank material, and ambient conditions. This paper outlines a series of experiments performed on a large fuel facility at Southampton University, where charge-injected diesel was pumped into a 2640 gallon glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) tank. The electrostatic field at the top of the tank was monitored during runs at various levels of charge injection. A computer model was also set up to study the situation. Modelling the tank as a cylindrical drum, and adopting appropriate boundary conditions, the finite element method was used to solve Poisson's equation, and the electrostatic potential and field distributions were calculated. The experimental and computational procedures are described, and the results are compared and discussed.