Effect of contamination on the electrification of toulene flowing in metal pipes

Abstract The effect of ionic contaminants on the electrification of toluene has been investigated by measuring the charging currents produced by the flow of pure and contaminated toluene through 0.32 cm dia. stainless steel tubes at velocities in the range 300–1500 cm sec −1 . It is shown that, for pure toluene, the relationship between the various parameters involved follows the form obtained by Koszman and Gavis for heptane. The presence of certain contaminants is shown to produce a significant change in the electrification characteristics of the toluene. The values of the current i ∞ are, however, never more than ten times as great as the value calculated from the Koszman and Gavis relationships. It is concluded that the order of magnitude of the current generated by the turbulent flow of toluene in small diameter metal tubes can be obtained from the Koszman and Gavis relationships provided the effect of the contaminant on the electrical resistivity of the toluene is known.