All,
I am almost completely sure that the most significant generator of static on
plastic craft is not due to sloshing of fuel, but movement of the aeroplane
through the air. Here's why:
1. The aeroplane skin presents a much greater area susceptible to static
generation than the fuel lines and filler.
2. Plastic fuel cans, which are good insulators, are routinely sold for
spare fuel for cars. they are carried in the back and slosh around for
years in some cases. I have never heard of one exploding when opened by a
grounded user.
3. Plastic fuel tanks are used in cars and tank explosions are unheard
of. Static generated by passage through the air by the vehicle itself,
however, is almost routine.
It is important that we recognise the source, otherwise we can't address it
properly. For my money, an adequate protection would be local grounding of
the fuselage near the filler cap, either by the pilot, or by permanently
installed means (which I suggested in an earlier mailing).
Dave Simpson
-----Original Message-----
From: Fergus Kyle <fkyle@bigwave.ca>
Date: 05 July 2000 14:21
Subject: Static grounding
>Robert:
> I know you sometimes follow the Europa net and wonder if you have
>encountered a recent thread concerning a german Europa which burned
>after the fuel fumes were ignited during refuelling?
> The discussion concerns the grounding of plastic containers, fuel lines
>and tanks due to their production of unrequited static caused by
>gasolene rushing/sloshing in plastic. There was some talk also of
>rerouting vent lines away from (1) the roof and/or (2) the fuel
>inlet....
>(1) dripping fuel thru the vent in upset/crash.......(2) ejcting fumes
>near the fuelling inlet.
> Your comments always seem cogent.......
>Ferg Kyle
>Europa A064 (#319)
>
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