Electrostatic charge reducer
AssigneeGulf Research & Development Company
InventorDonald F. Rhodes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The electrostatic charge generated by nonconductive liquids flowing through a pipeline and other apparatus is reduced by exposing the liquid to gamma radiation. In a preferred arrangement, a capsule containing cobalt-60 is suspended in the flowing liquid immediately before the liquid is discharged into a vessel in which it may be in contact with air.
Claims12
Apparatus for reducing electrostatic charge on a nonconductive and flammable liquid flowing through pipe for delivery into a tank comprising a metallic cylinder secured to the pipe and extending through the wall of the pipe into the opening through the pipe, said cylinder having a wall thickness of at least 1/8 inch, a source of gamma radiation in the cylinder positioned in the opening through the pipe, the quantity of source of gamma radiation being adequate to impart a dose of gamma radiation of at least 1.75 Rads to the liquid flowing through the pipe, and a lead shield around the pipe adjacent the cylinder shielding the space surrounding the pipe from gamma radiation.
In a system for delivering jet fuel to an airplane in which jet fuel is delivered through pipe to a hydrant at a loading area, a mobile hydrant servicer is connected to the hydrant for delivery of the jet fuel through a filter mounted on the hydrant servicer to a loading line for delivery into the airplane, apparatus mounted on the mobile hydrant servicer between the outlet of the filter and the loading line for reducing the electrostatic charge on the jet fuel delivered to the airplane, comprising a U-bend in pipe substantially the same diameter as the filter outlet, a metallic cylinder having a wall thickness of at least 1/8 inch extending through substantially diametrically opposed openings in the base of the U-bend secured and sealed to the base of the U-bend, a radiation source mounted in the cylinder, removable means closing at least one end of the cylinder to hold the radiation source in place in the cylinder, and lead enclosing the base of the U-bend and the lower end of the legs of the U-bend upwardly at least a portion of their length to shield the space surrounding the apparatus from gamma radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.