Electrostatic charging of animal feeds

Summary

The electrostatic charging of powders can initiate a range of behaviours of varying complexity and detectability, which can even sometimes appear rather unexpected. In the animal feed sector, electrostatic charging may to some extent explain various undesirable phenomena:

• Carry-over

• Electrical charging of facilities

• Explosions

The tests carried out jointly by Tecaliman and Poitiers University (M. TOUCHARD) between 1995 and 1997 established a basis for taking account of these phenomena by setting up procedures designed to measure three properties in both laboratories and the industrial environment.