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On the way to and at their destination, light mineral oils such as kerosene, petroleum or rolling and hydraulic oils are refined, cleaned and transshipped, among others. As they have a low conductivity, there is a very high risk of electrostatic charges during the many different processes. Regular checks and documentation are required to safely manage and control these work steps and thus avoid charging. MBA Instruments, the specialist for conductivity measurement, has taken up this challenge and developed the MLA1000 meter which quickly and continuously delivers exact measurement results so that effective measures can be taken to prevent electrostatic charges. Strictly designed in accordance with the German TRGS 727 Technical Rule, the meter ensures the safe transport of light mineral oils to their destination.
Jet A-1 type kerosene often has to cover a distance of several hundred kilometers in pipelines from the tank farm to its destination at the airport. Safety is at a premium here: as petroleum products such as kerosene have a low conductivity, they can be particularly easily electrostatically charged at high flow rates, which, in the worst case, may result in a fire in storage tanks, tank trucks or aircraft tanks. To prevent this from happening, accurate and regular measurements in the tanks and pipes are crucial.

The parameters for the safe handling of liquids are laid down in the German Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances “TRGS 727, Avoidance of ignition hazards due to electrostatic charges”, which are published and continuously updated by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. These rules apply “to the assessment and avoidance of ignition hazards due to electrostatic charges in potentially explosive atmospheres and to the selection and implementation of protective measures to avoid these hazards”. TRGS 727 replaces and updates TRBS 2153 (“Avoidance of ignition hazards due to electrostatic charges”).