Static electrification hazards

Abstract

Although the phenomenon of static electrification has been known for hundreds of years, problems arising from it are of more recent vintage. These problems cover a wide variety, ranging from large scale industries to domestic activities; they range in magnitude from major hazards, with potential loss of life and possible damage costing millions of pounds, to minor annoyances in the home, office or factory. The problem includes explosions during handling, filtering, refining and transportation of volatile liquids or gases; dust explosions in sugar mills and coal mines; losses in the manufacture and handling of photographic films and electronic integrated circuits and devices; and such minor annoyances as carpet electrification or the sticking of powders to the walls of containers. Figure 6.1 illustrates some of these hazards and annoyances, many of the examples coming from long established industries.