Transient charge decay in lined vessels and silos

A simple model for the transient charge decay dynamics in lined vessels is presented with reference to the hazard due to electrostatic discharges in powder or liquid storage vessels. A simple canonical form is given for the extrinsic circuit time constant. It can be used to estimate the time required for the decay of the charge accumulated on the liner. Methods of calculating the time-dependent potential drop and capacitive energy per unit area of a vessel liner are presented. Such calculations provide the means to estimate time-dependent ignition hazard probabilities associated with energetic Lichtenberg and propagating brush discharges.<>