Powder handling and electrostatics : understanding and preventing hazards

INTRODUCTION. Ignition Probabilities. ELECTROSTATICS IN PLASTIC POWDER PROCESSING. Charge Generation and Separation. Charge Dissipation. Electrostatic Discharge. MEASUREMENTS. Intrinsic Powder Property Measurements. Extrinsic Parameter Measurements. Closure. OTHER ISSUES. ESD-Induced Minimum Ignition Conditions. Particle Size Adjustment. Charge Dissipation. Level Indicators. Dense-Phase Pneumatic Transport. Corona-Induced Degradation. Use of Conductive Fibers in Filter Bags and Liners. EXAMPLES OF DUST EXPLOSIONS. Incident at GE Plant in Mt. Vernon (1966). Incident Reported by Maurer, et al. Union Carbide Incident (1987). United Biscuits Incident. Another Ignition Due to a Propagating Brush Discharge. Examples of Mixed Powder and Flammable Liquids. Closure. DO'S AND DON'TS FOR ABATEMENT OF ELECTROSTATIC HAZARDS IN DUSTS. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. APPENDICES. Powder Charging. Electrostatic Ignition of Powders. Useful Electrostatic Modeling Data. Nomograph for Capacitive Discharge Risk Assessment. Some Questions and Answers About ESD Ignition Hazards in Polymer Powders. Ignition Hazards of Representative Dusts as Indicated by Their Minimum Ignition Energies.