Question 54 GLI02 - Mate of Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for B (start to load slowly):** Loading petroleum products (especially high-resistivity products like distillates and jet fuels) generates static electricity due to the friction of the liquid against the pipe walls and the splashing or agitation inside the tank. The rate of static electricity generation is directly proportional to the flow velocity. By starting to load slowly (i.e., using a reduced initial flow rate), you minimize the initial turbulence, reduce the charge generation rate, and allow the generated charge to relax (dissipate) into the grounded structure before switching to the maximum permissible flow rate. This is a critical safety measure to prevent electrostatic discharge (sparking) which could ignite flammable vapors present in the ullage space. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** **A) increase the air flow into the tank:** Increasing air flow would increase turbulence and might introduce more contaminants or, if the air is dry, increase the chance of static buildup on surfaces, potentially worsening the static problem rather than solving it. Inerting the tank with an inert gas (like nitrogen) is done for explosion prevention, but simply increasing ambient air flow is counterproductive for static reduction. **C) use the overall method of loading only:** "Overall loading" (top loading) involves dropping the product from above the surface, causing significant splashing and misting. This method generates *maximum* static electricity and turbulence and is generally avoided or performed with extreme caution (using very slow flow rates) precisely because of the static risk. Bottom loading or splash-reducing methods are preferred. **D) start to load at maximum pressure:** Loading at maximum pressure corresponds to loading at maximum flow velocity. As explained above, higher flow velocity generates static charge at a higher rate, which is the opposite of what is needed for safe loading. This significantly increases the risk of an electrostatic discharge event.