Computational assessment of electrostatic hazards due to charged powders in a vessel during filling operations

摘要

Electrostatic hazards that may occur in a vessel during the filling of a charged powder have been estimated by using a particle-in-cell simulation. The motion of the charged particles and the electric field inside the vessel have been solved self-consistently. The particle size distribution of the powder has also been taken into account. Four powders, each having a log-normal size distribution have been used to investigate the dependence of particle size on hazards. The probability of incendiary discharges was assessed by calculating the local electric fields and electrostatic energies. It was found that the behavior of particles and the hazards strongly depend on the particle size. The possibility of incendiary discharges on the top of the heap was demonstrated. The probability of the discharges increased with increasing the powder particle size.