Electrostatic hazards in solvents

New chemical technology will safeguard UK companies under pressure from European ATEX directive: Octel has developed a low-cost, practical solution to static build-up in solvents and other chemicals

New chemical technology will safeguard UK companies under pressure from European Atex directive.

Octel, the award winning speciality chemicals business, has developed a low-cost, practical solution to static build-up in solvents and other chemicals.

The development is a timely boost for UK companies currently under pressure from the EU to minimise the dangers of electrostatic discharge.

The ATEX 137 directive came into force on 1 July this year and is intended to standardise, clarify, and improve the way in which equipment for use in explosive atmospheres is modified, used, and maintained across the EU.

The introduction of the ATEX directive makes it mandatory under European law to assess for an explosion risk and classify the area accordingly.

In particular there is a need to "consider and eliminate possible sources of static electricity".

There is, however, growing concern that many companies may be unaware of the new regulation or have not realised that potential hazards may exist in their processes.

The location of such processes is not limited to oil refineries or chemical plants, but extends to many different industrial manufacturing processes and ordinary warehouses and stores.

Wherever solvents and lubricants are used, static electricity can be generated.

In low conducting flammable solvents this can build up and a spark can occur leading to a fire or explosion that could ignite the entire stock and building.

The costs associated with an accident like this can run into many millions of pounds, not including the risk to life, and the safety of employees.

Octel Performance Chemicals, which won the UK Green Technology Award for 2003, has responded by launching Octastat, a non-metallic static dissipator additive that increases the conductivity of a fluid to a level where the static electricity can be safely controlled and discharged through a proper earthed connection.

Octastat can be used in relatively small doses of between 5-50 ppm depending on the type of fluid being treated.

This low dose rate not only ensures that the performance characteristics of the fluid are unaffected but also provides a straightforward and comparatively low-cost answer to a potentially dangerous hazard.

Octel say that where companies are unsure about their process and the possible presence of electrostatic build-up, they are able to offer a free advice service.

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