Where does the charge on tankers come from?

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SUMMARY

The charge on tankers primarily originates from static electricity generated by the tires and the interaction of the truck's body with moving air. While both factors contribute, the discussion suggests that tires may account for up to 99% of the charge, particularly due to their material composition and friction with the road surface. In contrast, airplanes experience static charge mainly from dry air rubbing against their surfaces, indicating a different mechanism at play. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing static discharge risks in both vehicles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity principles
  • Knowledge of tire materials and their properties
  • Familiarity with the effects of air friction on moving objects
  • Basic concepts of electrostatics and charge accumulation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of Van de Graaff Generators in static electricity generation
  • Explore the effects of different tire materials on static charge accumulation
  • Investigate airplane static discharge mechanisms and their differences from ground vehicles
  • Study the impact of environmental factors like humidity and temperature on static electricity
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, safety professionals, and anyone involved in the design and operation of vehicles, particularly those concerned with static electricity and discharge management.

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As you know some trucks (tankers) always have a chain or wire underneath to discharge electricity. My question is where has the charge come from?
 
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Static electricity is generated by the tires and the air moving over the surface of the trucks body and tank.
 
PaulS1950 said:
Static electricity is generated by the tires and the air moving over the surface of the trucks body and tank.

Thanks,
So what dominates the charge: the tires or the moving air?
I myself sometimes create sparks when touching the door knob. Quite strong. No air moving, so maybe it's only the tires?
 
The amount of charge of the air depends on the velocity, temperature and humidity and the amount of charge developed by the tires depends on the materials involved. (the composition of the tires and road surface.
 
PaulS1950 said:
The amount of charge of the air depends on the velocity, temperature and humidity and the amount of charge developed by the tires depends on the materials involved. (the composition of the tires and road surface.

But we don't know what is the dominant. Possibly that the tires can make up 99% of the charge, and we can neglect the air. Say, the airplane, it fly very fast and I do not know if if has problem with charge caused by the moving air.
 
pixel01 said:
But we don't know what is the dominant. Possibly that the tires can make up 99% of the charge, and we can neglect the air. Say, the airplane, it fly very fast and I do not know if if has problem with charge caused by the moving air.
Google on airplane static discharge. It's not the tires that is dominant in accumulating charge in airplanes.
 
turbo-1 said:
Google on airplane static discharge. It's not the tires that is dominant in accumulating charge in airplanes.

Sure that the tires do not dominate the charge in airplanes. They taxi very slowly and just some km on runway.
 
I would start with Van de Graaff Generators, and work up to trucks. The principle is the same, and while the tires carry some charge, it's hardly a belt with combs. Imagine a volcanic eruption of a stratovolcano: The small particles cause large charges to build in the plume, hence SERIOUS air-air lightning.

Consider the road vs. dry cool air, striking the (essentually) hollow metal box, that is most of a truck: that is a LOT of charge being exchanged, compared to rotating tires which would tend to discharge on their own more than simply carry the charge to the truck's body.

EDIT: Hmmmm... then again, truck tired are steel belted... I wonder what effect that has. Can the tires act a bit like capacitors? Even then collision with air and dust (pollen, etc) would be a greater factor.
 
pixel01 said:
Sure that the tires do not dominate the charge in airplanes. They taxi very slowly and just some km on runway.
No. The primary cause is static charge resulting from the dry air rubbing on the skin of the airplane. Did you google on "airplane static discharge"? It would help settle the needless speculation.
 
  • #10
turbo-1 said:
No. The primary cause is static charge resulting from the dry air rubbing on the skin of the airplane. Did you google on "airplane static discharge"? It would help settle the needless speculation.

I have not googled, but the 2 cases are quite different. Airplanes fly very fast, the friction caused by moving air is big. But the truck moves much slower and the tires always have friction with the surface of the road. My speculation is about the truck.
 
  • #11
pixel01 said:
I have not googled, but the 2 cases are quite different. Airplanes fly very fast, the friction caused by moving air is big. But the truck moves much slower and the tires always have friction with the surface of the road.

*Faceplam*
 
  • #12
Frame Dragger said:
*Faceplam*

?

I guess you all have experienced electric shocks (sometimes, not gentle) while walking in a supermarket and unattentively touch the trolley or somethings. That's all for friction of the shoes and the floor, not the air moving.
So in the case of trucks, I am not sure if the tires are the dominant or just moving air.
I thought it's only because of the air.
 

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