The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-10-13
Dangers of Creating
Static Electricity

Washington, Oct. 1O.-A big tank
truck transporting gasoline was
blown up by terrific explosion on
the street recently, because a passer-
by who didn't know what he was do
ing picked up piece of chain. HI.
saw the chain dangling by one end
from the truck and thought he would
possibly save the truck from being
wrecked through fouling the chair.
IN one of the wheels.
The man didn't know the chain was
hanging there for a purpose. H.
didn't know that gasoline, unlike
water, is a non-conductor of cleo
tricity. Possibly he didn't even know
that flowing gasoline, especially when
strained through such materials as
chamois skin filters, sets up conside,
able frictional or static electricity
But that was what caused the truck
destruction. z
Usually when the big tank trucs
backs up to the filling plug at serv
ice station or other storage place, tn ;
metallic nozzle from the truck
touches the metallic intake pipe and
thus forms ground for any charge
of static electricity that may collect
in the truck. Sometimes, however
the nozzle does not touch a groun,..
ing point, and with no other METAL; :
ground for the truck, the car is per
fectly insulated, standing as it doe:
on rubber tires. Sometimes, also
the nozzle of the truck outlet ripc
rests against a wooden piece in the
intake pipe and is thereby likewise
insulated, for dry wood is also an
insulator.
While the gasoline is poured into
the storage tank certain amount cf
vapor arises, and there is certain TO
be some about the intake and the
truck. The flow of the liquid will set
up a static charge in the truck. As
the charge increases, it may become
strong enough to leap the gap to ths
nearest ground, or the two points
may be brought into contact. There
is spark, flash, an explosion an6
untold damage may result.
Consequently the careful tank driv-
er always has metallic pais hang
ing from the truck to the ground, a
rod or chain, to drain off the cleo
trio charge as it collects, as long az
the gasoline is being drawn off.
The same basic fact has been
the cause of numerous smaller fires
and explosions in garages, both pri-
vatetand public. In one instance cal
was being filed with gasoline from a
can. While the employee ran the ga!
into the can ne strained it through
a chamois filter in funnel. To make
the funnel sit up straight in the hole
in the tank a wooden ring was placed
in the hole and the funnel was placed
in that. Thus the can was insulated
After pouring some gasoline into tbs
tank, the man brought the can spou.
into contact with the tank. There
was a spark, nash and the result
ing explosion.
| A man was. pumping gasoline into
a can in his own garage. He hung
the pail on the hook over the spout
| of the pump. He did not notice tha,
the pail had wooden handle. By
reason Of the wooden handle the pal
was insulated from the pump. Tn,
! flowing gasoline set up stati,
i charge in, the pail which leaped tn,
gap to the pump and another fire wa,
tstarted.
Friction, Of silk cloth will produc,
static electricity, and fires have bee
caused. 1t has been reported to gov
eminent agencies, when silk cloths
soaked with benziDe or gasoline wer,
used to rub the CRIME off mechanics