[Lowfer] Here's a good one!

[Ed Phillips]

Bill Ashlock wrote:
> 
> 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

	I haven't heard about this specific occurance but if you'll look at old
sources on electrostatic generation you'll find references to generators
that using anything from STEAM[!!!] to moving particles of various kind;
all involve some form of flowing material so this one also sounds
reasonable.

Ed