When Does The Pipe Flange Need Static Jumper?

The role of static jumper

In industrial production, due to the flow of the medium, the fluid or gas in the pipeline will generate static charges through friction and separation between the medium. At the same time, due to the frequent installation and disassembly of pipe fittings in the pipeline, potential differences will also be generated. The accumulation of these charges and potential differences may cause the generation of static sparks, leading to major dangers such as explosions and fires. In order to eliminate these dangers, static jumper is required.

Static jumper is a method of interconnecting potential differences and charge paths through conductive materials. It can form a closed loop so that current can flow to the ground, thereby eliminating static charges and avoiding the generation of static sparks.

When does the pipe flange need static jumper

‌Pipe flange static jumper‌ refers to the installation of conductive elements at the connection of the pipe flange to reduce the potential dangers caused by static electricity accumulation.

Generally speaking, the following types of pipe flanges require static jumper:

1. Pipeline system of flammable gas medium. Because when flammable gas forms a mixture in the air, when its concentration is between the lower and upper explosion limits, only one energetic electric spark is needed to cause an explosion. Therefore, this kind of pipeline system needs to be electrostatically bridged to eliminate static charges and avoid the generation of static sparks.

2. Pipeline system for flammable and explosive liquid media. Similarly, flammable and explosive liquids will cause explosions at corresponding air concentrations, and static jumpers are required.

3. Pipeline system for handling flammable, explosive, and toxic media. In this system, in order to reduce the danger, the pipe flange needs to be electrostatically bridged.

Precautions for static jumper of pipe flanges

When performing static jumper, the following points need to be noted:

1. The conductor of the static jumper should be in good contact with the ground so that the charge can flow effectively to the ground.

2. There should be no rust, oxidation, or other substances that affect conductivity on the surface of the conductor to ensure good electrical properties of the conductor surface.

3. The conductor of the static jumper should be set near the pipeline where static sparks are prone to occur.

4. The length and cross-sectional area of the conductor should be selected according to relevant national standards. Under normal circumstances, the resistance value should be less than or equal to 10 ohms.

Applicable scenarios

According to relevant specifications and standards, the following scenarios require static jumper:

1. Chemical enterprises: Containers loaded with flammable and explosive items should be placed on a conductive floor and connected to the ground wire. Wheeled carts, measuring scales, floor scales, etc. should also be connected to the grounding main line.

2. Petrochemical enterprises: During the production, processing, storage and transportation process, when equipment, pipelines, operating tools and human bodies may generate and accumulate static electricity and cause static electricity hazards, static grounding measures should be taken.

3. Oil depots: Tank trucks or barrel filling facilities for Class A, B and C liquids should be equipped with anti-static grounding devices that are connected to tank trucks or barrels.

Petrochemical enterprise design fire protection specifications: Grounding measures should be taken for equipment and pipelines that may generate static electricity hazards in explosive and fire hazardous places.

Summary

For pipeline systems of flammable, explosive and toxic media, static jumper is required to eliminate the danger of static sparks. When performing static jumper, it is necessary to pay attention to factors such as conductor contact, electrical properties, and length to ensure the effectiveness of static jumper and reduce the harm caused by static sparks. When using pipe flanges, detailed communication should be conducted with the flange supplier to understand the issues that need to be paid attention to in order to avoid losses.