Hazard of Electrostatic Generation in Pneumatic Conveying System: Electrostatic Effects on the Accuracy of Electrical Capacitance Tomography Measurements

Y. Zhang 1, Y. C. Liang 2 and C-H. Wang 1

1 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576, Email: chewch@nus.edu.sg

2 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.

ABSTRACT

A study of the hazards of electrostatic generation in pneumatic conveying systems was attempted by examining the sensitivity of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) due to strong electrostatics. The influence to ECT measurement accuracy by electrostatic charge was analyzed with reference to a switch capacitor configuration model. Consequently, it was found that electrostatic charge introduced at the bend with sharp angles influenced ECT results most significantly in pneumatic conveying systems, especially for the cases where spark was generated.

Keywords Electrostatics; Particles; ECT; Pneumatic conveying