I just read the thread above on static electricity problems associated
with using jerry cans of various compositions. I have a couple
questions and comments.

First of all, does anyone really know of an accident anywhere? I
mean, is there anyone out there in this ng who has ever seen a fire
start from a static discharge associated with one of these cans? I
have heard about this for years, but Wal-Mart and hundreds of other
retail outlets sell gas cans that are made of nonconductive plastic.
The red plastic ones I have are not conductive. And...it's obvious if
you have a conductive can, you can get rid of the electrons real easy
by pre-grounding. I'd bet that my red-plastic gas cans are completely
nonconductive however.

So, I'm thinking that even if you have a big electron buildup on the
plastic can, it can't flow fast enough to make a spark anyway.

I think the older metal cans were more dangerous because they did
conduct and if they were isolated and built up electrons, those
electrons could move fast through the metal spout and make a spark.
Even then, however, I have never heard of a real accident from filling
a tank anywhere. Yes, I've heard rumors of accidents, but does anyone
out there in RAH- land know of a specific accident happening that was
caused by using any fueling can, ever?

About a year ago, I saw a video clip on TV where this guy went to
fill a can in the back of his pick-em-up truck and some gas fumes sort
of exploded, burning him quite badly. But, this is the only accident
I've ever heard of or seen first hand and it was something a little
different since it was a spark from a gas pump nozzle somehow.

Also, it's a matter of the chemical kinetics. Since gasoline is so
volatile the hydrocarbon/oxygen ratio in the air above the liquid
gasoline in one of those cans is too high for combustion. You can
throw a cigarette in a can of gas like that and it will most likely go
out. The kinetics for burning are just not right because of the
overload of hydrocarbons. Of course at the mouth of a gas can things
are different. You can have perfect kinetics for burning since the
hydrocarbons are escaping into the atmosphere there is plenty of
oxygen.

I know that kerosene for instance is much more dangerous because it's
more oily and less volatile. So, you have perfect kinetics for
burning in the air above the liquid in a gas can. We don't put jet
fuel in gas cans for that reason.

Anyway, is there anyone out there who knows of a real accident using
either metal or plastic cans?

Just curious

----Whaa Keen

"The only difference between a nobleman and a commoner is that the
nobleman thinks one thing and says another."
--Zorro