Electrostatic Hazards Produced by Carbon Dioxide in Inerting and Fire-Extinguishing Systems
Abstract
In tests of the possible electrostatic hazard resulting from the discharge of CO2 by the hatch-snuffing (inerting) system of gasoline tankers, measurements were made of the field strength developed in a full-scale model of a tanker hatch when a 22.7-kg CO2 cylinder was discharged via the nozzles of the hatch-snuffing system. A camera employing high-speed film and, in some runs, an instrumented probe were used to detect discharges. The field strength in the center of the hatch reached a maximum value of 50 to 170 kV/m about 40 to 60 s after the CO2 began to enter the hatch and then fell to zero near the end of the run (120 s). No evidence of electrostatic discharges was found on the photographs or on the oscilloscope traces from the probe circuit. Shipboard tests confirmed the conclusions reached in the model tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 28, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA015003
Entities
People
- Joseph T. Leonard
- R. C. Clark
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory