In wastewater treatment plants there are solids that are removed to be burned or what ever . Before the solids are removed they are pumped into a tanker to be taken away. My question is while this process is being done should the tanker be grounded and is this a classified area ? Are there any other concerns to be aware of there?
SLUDGE QUESTION
- Thread starter hawkeye23
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- Mission Viejo, CA
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- Professional Electrical Engineer
As a general rule all interconnecting piping between storage and the tanker should be bonded to avoid static build up. Grounding all elements may accomplish this. Personally, I prefer as direct a bond connection across potential gaps as possible.
Some of the installation is likely to be Class I, Group D, T1; however the extent of Division envelopes are unknown. Variables for things such as ventilation, piping materials and connections, degree of enclosure, etc. are unknown and no amount of narrative description on your part will clarify the installation sufficiently. You need someone familiar with the installation and NFPA 820, Standard for Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities to determine the exact envelopes. The facility’s insurer is a good place to start.
weressl
Esteemed Member
The sludge is most likely to be in the high conductivity range, so no static generation should be expected.
Even though it is called static electricity, I do not believe it falls under the guidelines of NFPA 70 Article 500.
weressl
Esteemed Member
Not by NEC or OSHA guidelines. It would be rather difficult to decide WHAT should that posting contain. Who is the target 'audience" whom it should help and what should the posting accomplish?
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