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Re: Diesel Tank Explosion
Posted by:
dcarpenter (IP Logged)
Date: June 30, 2008 12:43PM
George,
Sounds like you are right on with your hypothesis of static electricity based on the new information. Flowing fuel in a hose can create conditions that will allow static discharge in the head space of the fuel tank. This results in the rupture of the tank and the dispersion of more liquid fuel that can create secondary burning of the fuel outside the tank. Bonding/Grounding are appropriate mitigation strategies for this type of ignition. You will want to investigate whether such bonding/grounding existed in your incident to fully test your hypothesis.
Diesel is considered a "high flashpoint" liquid, but it can ignite under the right conditions. A flammability diagram for the appropriate fuel composition will determine under what conditions it can occur. I would put any conclusions with respect to its ability to ignite in the appropriate context. You do not want to generally imply that because it has a high flashpoint, it will not ignite.
Sincerely,
Doug Carpenter
Douglas J. Carpenter, MScFPE, CFEI, PE, FSFPE
Vice President & Principal Engineer
Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.
8940 Old Annapolis Road, Suite L
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 884-3266
(410) 884-3267 (fax)
www.csefire.com