Issues regarding the grounding of equipment pipelines
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I would like to ask everyone: when transporting flammable and explosive fluids, it is necessary to implement anti-static grounding. Since the equipment is already grounded, is it still required to provide separate anti-static grounding for the metal pipes if the pipes are replaced?
To be precise, it should refer to lightning and static electricity protection grounding; however, the same wire is used for conducting electricity during implementation. Both equipment and pipelines must be grounded; relevant requirements are specified in the standards, with grounding of pipelines being carried out every 20–30 meters.
No matter what flammable or explosive substances are present in your pipeline, and no matter which standards you refer to, from the perspective of electrical safety, there is only one rule: reliable grounding. The grounding resistance requirements for anti-static and lightning protection should be less than 10 ohms; of course, the lower, the better. In addition, the following points also need attention. 1. For long-distance pipelines, grounding points should be installed along the way as appropriate to ensure that the grounding resistance at all sections of the pipeline remains within acceptable limits. 2. Insulation layers tend to form at the flange joints or bellows joints of pipes; measures must be taken to ensure electrical continuity so as to guarantee reliable grounding of the entire pipe system. When pipes pass through areas prone to lightning strikes, such as high ground, it is necessary to assume the use of lightning rods to prevent direct lightning strikes on those pipes. For flammable and explosive items, static electricity is discharged to the ground at that moment
The problem statement is not very clear. For reference, according to the \"Code for Design of Static Grounding in Chemical Enterprises\" HGT20675-1990, section 3.2 on pipeline network grounding, the grounding connection points of pipeline networks shall meet the following requirements: (1) The pipelines within each relatively independent building or structure in the plant area can be statically grounded by connecting them to the metal enclosures of the process equipment (via flange connections). (2) Grounding connection points shall be provided at pumps, filters, surge arresters, etc., within the pipeline network. (3) The pipelines in the pipe network at the entrances and exits to the equipment area, at the boundaries of different explosion-hazardous environments, and at pipeline junctions should be grounded. For long-distance pipelines without branches, they should be reliably connected to a grounding electrode every 80–100 meters. If the grounding potential of the pipe rack meets the requirements specified in 2.3.1, it can also be used as a grounding electrode.
Grounding should be done every 80 to 100 meters; this is the standard for the system pipes in our devices.