Estimation of electrostatic charge in a recirculatory flow system using a rotated finite difference scheme

The calculation of charge and potential distributions in relaxation tanks that are used in the upstream of petroleum storage tanks has been carried out. Based on the knowledge of the inlet charge and the potential on the wall, the charge and potential distributions have been calculated utilizing the coupling between the charge and the potential through Gauss law on the boundary. The present model differs from previous models in defining the charge on the wall as an unknown. Results indicate that the charge, when the fluid is at rest, migrates towards the wall due to diffusion and conduction, and convects along the axial direction with the flow. The polarity reversal of charge influenced by the field components has been observed