“Two teams of firefighters arrive to put out the fire that broke out: it’s just after 3.00 pm and the foreman, 50 years old, wife and two children, just in time to shout «everyone go away», then he is killed by the violent explosion of the tanker”: serious episodes of this type are not uncommon among the news stories.
These incidents highlight the need to increase people’s awareness of the importance of safety in the loading and unloading operations of mobile tanks (tank trucks, railcars, IBCs – intermediate bulk containers).
Uncontrolled electrostatic discharges: a danger that should not be underestimated
The fire and explosion risks associated with these operations arises from the fact that flammable products (fuels, chemicals, powders and granulates) are transferred at high speed and can become charged with static electricity which can cause sparks. The charge levels that are created depend on several factors, including the properties of the individual substances and their flow velocity.
To prevent the accumulation – not visible – of the electrostatic charges generated, it is necessary to use grounding systems, which by connecting the clamp to the conductive parts of the tankers, allow the electrostatic charges to be dispersed to the ground effectively and reliably. Grounding systems must comply with the current regulations.
MT40: the electronic Grounding System by ISOIL Impianti
ISOIL Impianti has introduced MT40 on the market, an innovative electronic grounding system that can be installed in the loading / unloading bay or mounted on the tank trucks: it verifies that the correct ground connection is made before the product transfer begins, eliminating dangerous situations due to human errors or faults.
Maximum safety is guaranteed by connecting the tank to the ground during the entire loading/ unloading operation, and thanks to a constant monitoring of such a connection.
If, for whichever reason (the operator may disconnect the clamp by mistake, the cable may be damaged by the truck, etc.) the connection is interrupted, the system generates an alarm, so that the operation can be stopped.
The device is equipped with a monitor with a bright LED user interface showing the status of the connection.
By measuring the electric capacitance of the device it is connected to, the MT40 monitor is able to detect whether it is connected to the tank or to some different metal object (piping, stairs, etc.) – according to IEC 60079-32 (Electrostatic hazards, guidance) – thus enhancing the level of reliability and safety and preventing possible misuses by the operator.
The grounding system MT40 is an approved Safety Device, with SIL2 level (Safety Integrity Level 2), it is made in accordance with the ATEX 2014/34 / EU directive and is completely watertight (IP66). sistema di messa a terra MT40 è approvato come Safety Device, con livello SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level 2), è realizzato in accordo alla direttiva ATEX 2014/34/EU ed è completamente stagno (IP66).
ISOIL IMPIANTI makes available, together with the MT40, a complete range of accessories, like a tester, to periodically check the setting and the performances of the device “off line”, as well as a software toolkit for system diagnostic.
For more information about this simple and safe system to protect people, production facilities and means of transport, do not hesitate to contact the ISOIL Industria.