Static Electricity 2000 Edition

Compaction)
Operation
Mass Charge Density 
(
µµµµC/kg)
Sieving
10
−3
to 10
−5
Pouring
10
−1
to 10
−3
Auger or screw-feed transfer
10
−2
to 1.0
Grinding
10
−1
to 1.0
Micronizing
10
2
to 10
−1
Pneumatic conveying
Source: British Standard 5958, Code of Practice for Control of Undesirable 
Static Electricity, Part 1, General Considerations.
10
3
to 10
−1
τ εε
0
ρ
=

---

POWDERS AND DUSTS
77
–27
2000 Edition
ε
0
= permittivity of free space (8.85 
× 10
−12
sec/ohm-m)
ρ = bulk volume resistivity of the powder (ohm-m)
For historical reasons, the ability of a solid to transmit elec-
tric charges is characterized by its volume resistivity. For liq-
uids, this ability is characterized by its conductivity.
8.4.2
Powders are divided into the following three groups:
(a) Low-resistivity powders having volume resistivities in
bulk of up to 10
8
ohm-m. Examples include metals, coal dust,
and carbon black.
(b) Medium-resistivity powders having volume resistivities
between 10
8
and 10
10
ohm-m. Examples include many organic
powders and agricultural products.
(c) High-resistivity powders having volume resistivities
above 10
10
ohm-m. Examples include organic powders, syn-
thetic polymers, and quartz.
8.4.2.1
Low-resistivity powders can become charged during
flow. The charge rapidly dissipates when the powder is con-
veyed into a grounded container. However, if conveyed into a
nonconductive container, the accumulated charge can result
in an incendive spark.
8.4.2.2
When a medium-resistivity powder comes to rest in
bulk, the charge retained depends on the resistance between
the powder and ground. If the powder is placed in a grounded
container, charge retention is determined by the bulk volume
resistivity of the powder, which includes the interparticle resis-
tance, as governed by the relationship given in 8.4.1. If the
powder is placed in a nonconductive container, charge reten-
tion is determined by the resistance of the container. The spe-
cial significance of medium-resistivity powders is that they are
relatively safe during handling, because they do not produce
bulking brush discharges or sparks.
8.4.2.3
High-resistivity powders do not produce spark dis-
charges in themselves but can produce other types of dis-
charge such as corona, brush, bulking brush, and propagating
brush discharges (see Section 4.3). High-resistivity powders lose
charge at a slow rate, even in properly grounded containers.
Many high-resistivity powders are also hydrophobic and in
bulk are capable of retaining charge for hours or even days.
High-resistivity powders, such as thermoplastic resins, can
have bulk resistivities up to about 10
16
ohm-m.