Solvents Safety

The conductivity of a liquid affects its charging ability. The conductivity is

expressed in terms of siemens per meter (S/m) or more commonly picosiemens
per metre (pS/m).

According to NFPA-77, the US consensus practice on static electricity, liquids can

be divided into three classes;

1. Conductive > 10,000 pS/m

2. Semi-conductive - 50-10,000 pS/m

3. Non-conductive <50pS/m

For conductive liquids any static generated within the liquid can be conducted to
the pipe/vessel and be dissipated safely via the grounding. For semi-conductive
liquids, the rate of charge generation is critical, i.e. when charge generation is
rapid, there may not be time for the charge to be dissipated. Low conductivity
liquids are unable to dissipate the static charge. Static buildup can occur even if
the vessel is earthed. Conductivity is a factor of temperature; hence the
conductivity of a liquid will be lower when it is cold. Therefore it is important in a
manufacturing process to measure the conductivity of a solvent when it is at its
lowest temperature.

Prevention of Static Build-up

All conductive equipment associated with processing of flammable liquids should

be grounded in order to prevent the accumulation of static charge.
Limiting the liquid velocity during vessel and container filling operations helps to
limit electrostatic charge increase. In pipes, buildup of static is limited by
reducing flow velocity. The recommended maximum flow for a low conductivity
solvent is 1m/s where a solid or second liquid could be present. Where this is not
the case, a maximum limit of 7m/s is suggested.

Increasing Conductivity

The electrostatic hazard posed by non-conductive liquids such as hydrocarbons,

aromatic solvents, and insulating oils to name but a few, can be decreased
dramatically by increasing their electrical conductivity. The conductivity of an
insulating liquid can be increased by addition of an anti-static additive. The
increased conductivity enables charge to be more readily dissipated from the
liquid. The use of antistatic additives, also known as conductivity improvers, to
render a solvent ‘conductive’ and enable static electric charge dissipation is
becoming a recognised practice, particularly in the solvents and coatings industry
and is described in the industry guidelines.(2-5) Static dissipater additives
increase the conductivity of solvents to render them conductive (>10,000pS/m),
mitigate the build of static charge and its resulting consequences.

Hazard Area Classification

Electrical and electronic equipment such as motors, generators, transformers,

circuit breakers, fuses, switches, relays, solenoids and resistors produce
significant amounts of heat, arcing and sparking during normal and abnormal
operation, which could pose a substantial risk of fire or explosion in facilities
where chemicals are manufactured, processed or utilized. To minimize the risk of
fires or explosions that could result from this arcing, sparking and heat
dissipation, it is critically important that electrical/ electronic/ Instruments
equipment be designed, tested and labeled as being acceptable for use in the
areas in which they are installed. This holds especially true for hazardous
(classified) locations, i.e. locations where flammable, combustible or ignitable
gases, vapors, liquids, dust, fibers or flyings may be present.

A hazardous area classification is typically shown on plan view drawings of the

facility (and sometimes on elevation drawings) that are commonly referred to
as area classification drawings/diagrams.

Hazardous (Classified) Locations

Article 500 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) (reference 1) defines the
requirements for the safe and proper specification and installation of
electrical/electronic equipment in hazardous (classified) locations. NEC Article
500.5 (A) states that "Locations shall be classified depending on the properties of
the flammable gas, flammable liquid-produced vapors, combustible
liquid-produced vapors, combustible dust or fibers/flyings that may be present,
and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is
present. Each room, section, or area shall be considered individually in
determining its classification."

Hazardous Area Classification

Each room, section and area within a facility where chemicals are processed or
utilized are evaluated individually and assigned a Class I, II or III, Division 1 or 2,
Group A, B, C, D, E, F or G classification based on several criteria: (1) the types of
chemicals that are present; (2) the probability of their presence during normal
and abnormal operation; (3) the volume being processed or utilized; and (4) the
physical properties (concentrations, densities, pressures, temperatures and flows)
that are observed during normal and abnormal plant operating conditions.

Class I Division 1

A Class I, Division 1 location is a location in which ignitable concentrations of

flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible
liquid-produced vapors may exist under normal operating conditions.

Class I Division 2

A Class I, Division 2 location is a location in which ignitable concentrations of

flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible
liquid-produced vapors may exist under abnormal operating conditions.

Class I Group Designations

Class I flammable gases, vapors and liquids are grouped into one of four (4)
groups (Groups A, B, C or D) based on their physical properties and the ease in
which they can be ignited. Table 4.4.2 in NFPA 497 (reference 2) shows the
physical properties and Group classifications of many commonly used flammable
gases, vapors and liquids. Acetylene is an example of a Group A flammable
gas. Hydrogen is an example of a Group B flammable gas. Carbon Monoxide is an
example of a Group C flammable gas. Gasoline is an example of a Group
D flammable liquid.

Class II Locations

A Class II location is a location where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
combustible dust. NFPA 499 (reference 3) provides recommended practice for
the classification of Class II hazardous (classified) locations. NEC Articles 500 and
502 define the requirements for the safe and proper specification and installation
of electrical/electronic equipment in Class II locations. NFPA 499 and NEC Articles
500 and 502 are relied upon heavily when performing area classifications and
when specifying electrical/electronic equipment for safe and proper installation
in Class II locations. Figure 2 (below) is an example of an area classification
diagram for a Class II area.

Class II Division 1

A Class II, Division 1 location is a location in which combustible dust is in the air
under normal operating conditions in quantities sufficient to produce explosive
or ignitable mixtures, or where accumulations on electrical equipment are
sufficient to interfere with the safe dissipation of heat generated by the
equipment.

Class II Division 2

A Class II, Division 2 location is a location in which combustible dust due

to abnormal operating conditions may be present in the air in quantities
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where accumulations on
electrical equipment may be sufficient to interfere with the safe dissipation of
heat generated by the equipment.

Class II Group Designations

Class II combustible dusts are grouped into one of three (3) groups (Groups E, F
or G) based on their physical properties and the ease in which they can be ignited.
Table 5.2.2 in NFPA 499 (reference 3) shows the physical properties and Group
classifications of many commonly used combustible dusts. Titanium is an
example of a Group E combustible dust. Carbon Black is an example of a Group
F combustible dust. Nylon Polymer is an example of a Group G combustible dust.

Class III Locations

A Class III location is a location where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
ignitable fibers or flyings. NEC Articles 500 and 503 define the requirements for
the safe and proper specification and installation of electrical/electronic
equipment in Class III locations.

Non-hazardous (Unclassified) Locations

Any area which cannot be classified as a Class I, II or III hazardous (classified)

location is considered to be an unclassified or non-hazardous area.

Gas Group

Gas Group The electrical apparatus for a potentially explosive atmosphere are
divided into two groups as per IS/IEC 60079-0 standard

1) Group I electrical apparatus - for mines susceptible to fire damp.

2) Group II electrical apparatus - for gases with potentially explosive atmosphere

other than mines susceptible to fire damp. The gas group II is further sub divided
into gas group IIA, IIB and IIC. The gas group IIC is more stringent than gas group
IIA/IIB. Each gas group has its representative gas.

Temperature Classification

Design of any explosion-proof protected equipment is tested to determine its

temperature class based on maximum temperature attained in continuous
normal working condition. The temperature class identifies the hottest
temperature on the equipment which can be on either the inside or the outside
of the equipment depending on the protection concept. The selection of
equipment is such that, the temperature class must be lower than the minimum
ignition of explosive mixture in that area [5]. Indian Standard (IS) and many more
standards have formulated six classes of temperature from T1 to T6 for
uniformity and standardization. These six temperature classes from T1 (450oC ),
T2 (300oC ), T3 (200oC ), T4 (135oC ), T5 (100oC ) and T6 (85oC) as per IS/IEC
60079-0, EN 60079-0 and IEC 60079-0 standards [6, 7]. As the temperature class
increases, the temperature decreases.

Type of Protections for Hazardous Area

It is necessary to prevent the source of ignition in the potentially explosive

atmosphere to avoid any explosion. There are generally nine types of protection
are being used to design Ex equipment for explosive atmospheres as per
IS/IEC/EN standards.

Flameproof Protection (Ex d)

IS/IEC 60079-1 defines flameproof as “Enclosure in which the parts which can
ignite an explosive gas atmosphere are placed and which can withstand the
pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture, and
which prevents the transmission of the explosion to the explosive gas
atmosphere surrounding the enclosure”. The design of an enclosure should be
such that the flame should not be transmitted to the outer atmosphere.
Mechanical integrity of the enclosure should be such that it does not get
damaged during the non-flame transmission test, reference pressure test and
over pressure test.

Intrinsic Safety (Ex i)

An intrinsically safe circuit may be defined as a circuit in which any spark

produced under normal conditions or specified fault conditions is incapable of
causing ignition in a prescribed gas mixture. Intrinsic safety is a technique in
which energy is limited within the circuit of the apparatus. Intrinsically safe
apparatus does not require any special form of enclosure but certain safeguards
are required as per IS/IEC 60079-11 and EN 60079-11 [13, 14]. There are three
categories of intrinsically safe apparatus – ia, ib and ic. The categories differ in
two main aspects - firstly, in the number of specified fault and secondly, in the
values of safety factor. The safety factor is the amount of load, above the normal
operating rating of component that a device can handle without failure.

Flammable Liquid Class

Flammable liquids are defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
as a liquid with a closed-cup flash point less than 100°F (38°C) and a combustible
liquid is a liquid with a closed-cup flash point greater than or equal to 100°F
(38°C). NFPA has six classes of flammable liquids.

Flammable:- A Liquid having Flash Point Below 38°C

Liquid Class Flash Pt(CC) Boiling Point Examples

Class IA < 23°C < 38°C Diethyl ether, Haptene

Class IB < 23°C > 38°C Toluene, Benzene, Acetone,

IPA, Ethanol, MEK

Class IC > 23°C < 38°C Xylene, Naptha

Combustible:- A Liquid having Flash Point above 38°C

Class II > 23°C < 60°C Diesel, Champhor Oil

Class IIIA > 60°C < 93°C Aniline, Formaldehyde

Class IIIB > 93°C Ethylene Glycol, Glycerine

As per Petroleum Act, Classification is as below

Class Flash Pt(CC) Examples

Class A < 23°C Toluene, Petrol, Haxene, Naptha

Class B ~ 23°C & < 65°C High Speed Diesel

Class c ~ 65°C & < 93°C Toluene, Petrol, Haxene, Naptha