[Lowfer] Here's a good one!

[Bill Ashlock]

I was just called out to the mfg floor to look an unusual HV problem (and, 
Peter, I guarantee this is NOT a hypothetical problem). They use a electric 
pump and a filter to remove impurities from an expensive type of oil. The 
oil is pored in a 5 gal polyethylene bucket and circulated through the pump 
and filter. The hoses used have a stainless steel jacket and are grounded 
electrically to the frame that supports the pump and filter. The pump is 
grounded properly to the 110v outlet. There is a 1/2 inch metal pipe elbow 
in the bottom of the bucket not connected to anything.

OK, after the oil has been allowed to circulate in the bucket for maybe 15 
seconds they can touch one of the metal hoses to the elbow and draw up to a 
1/2" spark within the oil!! It's definitely static electricity. Anyone heard 
of anything like this?? I've been asked to determine if there are any safety 
issues in this process.

Bill A

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