See-StaZard : Static Electricity Hazard Auditor : Analysis & Corrective Measures

Past accidents have proven that preventing sources of ignition is the most significant way of preventing fire/explosion hazard. Amongst all sources, static electricity is difficult to detect because of its concealment nature. It can not be recognized without detailed instrumental check & verification. This hazard is present where hydrocarbons and/or powders are in use and where there is a contact and separation between two dissimilar materials.

See-StaZard : Features

 See-StaZard provides :

Knowledge base on Static Electricity

What is Static Electricity? Potential of energy released from a electrostatic discharge.

How it generates & how its discharge may cause a source of ignition?

Conditions that must be fulfilled for an electrostatic charge to be a source of ignition.

Types of electrostatic discharges : Spark discharge, Propagating brush discharge, Conical pile discharge, Lighting-like discharge, Brush discharge & Corona discharge; their behavior and potential to cause an ignition source.

Causes & factors that govern static charge generation & discharge : conductivity of the chemical or mixture, spraying, splashing, agitation, mixing, pouring, flow velocity, sampling, gauging, sieving, grinding, sliding, pneumatic transport, relaxation time, bonding, earthing, humidity, ionization etc.

Necessity of bonding & earthing, types of earth electrodes & maintenance of earthpits. Role of soil resistivity & guidelines of earthing of industrial premises. Checklist for earthpit maintenance.

Classification of hazardous areas (Zone 0,1 & 2).

Checklist for sources of static electricity & steps to be taken to minimize the hazard.

Static electricity hazard due to non-conducting powders. Flow chart for hazard evaluation.

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Fire & Explosion Characteristics of Chemicals

Database for solvents & powders for static electricity hazard evaluation : Properties include Open cup flash point; Auto-ignition temperature; Relative permittivity; NFPA code for Fire, Reactivity & Material Factor; Minimum ignition energy, Electrical conductivity, Explosion sensitivity to static charge & Recommended fire extinguishing media.

Provision for data edit and including other chemicals.

Significance of the above properties which indicate fire & explosion characteristics.

Customize See-StaZard as per Plant Specifics

Enter name of block/section and its process in brief; Include name of equipments. View name of equipments in the block.

For the equipments provide Maximum operating temperature, Safety features & Past accident history.

Enter earth pit details.

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Electrostatics in Liquids : Identification & Evaluation

Measure the static charge by static charge meter.

Select the equipment & chemical; enter capacitance value of the setup (guidelines given).

Compute velocity of flow and mention the process during which static charge has been found. Provide remarks if any.

See-StaZard computes Static charge & Static charge density and recommends the measures for minimizing the hazard. Compares minimum ignition energy with the static charge generated. Computes safe filling time so as to restrict the flow velocity to within safe limit.

Report also provides fire/explosion properties of the chemical and recommended fire extinguishing media.

Visualize result of previous audits and maintain a log.

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Electrostatics in Powders : Identification & Evaluation

Measure the Potential in KV by static charge meter.

Select the Equipment & Chemical; enter Density of powder particles, Surface charge density, Relative permittivity, Radius of particles, Volume resistivity of powder and Capacitance value of the setup (guidelines given).

Select the process during which static charge has been found. Provide remarks if any.

See-StaZard computes Static charge potential (Ignition energy available at source), Relaxation time required & Mass charge density and recommends the measures for minimizing the hazard. Compares minimum ignition energy (for the flammable solvent / medium, if any) with the static charge generated.

Visualize result of previous audits and maintain a log.

Earth Pit Performance & Soil Resistivity

Monitor performance of earth pits.

Measure resistance offered at the earth pits by Megger and log the value. It compares the resistance with the required value for the application and recommends corrective measures to be taken.

It also calculates soil resistivity.

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Introductory Training Module

To understand static electricity hazard and its prevention an introductory training module has been provided; it includes:

·         Understanding static electricity;

·         Hazards of static electricity;

·         Salient features of static electricity;

·         Identifying & analyzing static electricity hazards;

·         Prevention from static electricity hazards;

·         Instruments available to measure static electricity potential;

·         Applicable statutory regulations & guidelines available; and

·         Case study for some of the previous accidents due to static electricity discharge.

Other Information

·         Applicable statutory regulations & guidelines available;

·         List of instruments and equipments available for static charge detection and elimination;

·         Minimum Ignition Energy Data for Select Chemicals;

·         Industry-wise scenario and listing of hazards of static electricity; and

·         Past accident analysis for some of the accidents due to static electricity discharge.

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 Hardware & Operating System Requirement for all the products

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Disclaimer: The information contained in the website has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, SEE-Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information.