Static Electricity Risks in PE Odorant Gas Scrubbers & How to Mitigate Them

Static electricity buildup in polyethylene (PE) carbon filters and odorant gas scrubbers can pose serious safety hazards, including ignition risks, equipment damage, and worker injuries. When natural gas flows through non-conductive PE pipes and scrubbers, static charges accumulate, creating potential ignition sources.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• How static electricity builds up in PE gas scrubbers

• The dangers of venting natural gas through non-grounded systems

• How Burgess Pipeline Services eliminates static risks with grounded metal scrubbers

  
  

How Static Electricity Builds Up in PE Gas Scrubbers

Why PE Gas Scrubbers Are Prone to Static Buildup

Polyethylene (PE) is an electrical insulator, meaning it does not conduct electricity. When natural gas flows through PE pipes or gas scrubbers, friction generates static charges on the inner surface. This charge then induces an opposite charge on the outer surface.

Since PE cannot dissipate electricity, the charge remains static—until it finds a path to ground, potentially causing:

• Sparks (ignition risk for venting gas)

• Electrostatic shocks to workers

• Damage to electronic meters and sensors

  
  

The Ignition Risk: Venting Natural Gas Through Non-Grounded Scrubbers

When gas is vented through a PE-based scrubber, any static discharge near a gas outlet can ignite the flammable vapor. This is a major safety concern in industries such as:

• Natural gas distribution

• Odorant injection systems

• Biogas processing

Without proper static control, facilities risk:

• Explosions or fires from spark discharges

• Worker injuries from electrostatic shocks

• Equipment failure due to arcing damage

  
  

Solution: Burgess Pipeline Services’ Grounded Metal Gas Scrubbers

How Burgess Pipeline Services Eliminates Static Hazards

Burgess Pipeline Services addresses static electricity risks by replacing PE-based gas scrubbers with grounded metal gas scrubbers.

Key Benefits of Grounded Metal Scrubbers:

Eliminates static buildup – Metal conducts electricity, safely dissipating charges to ground.

Prevents ignition hazards – No spark risk from static discharge.

Enhances worker safety – No risk of electrostatic shocks.

Why Choose Metal Over PE Scrubbers?

Feature	PE Scrubbers	Grounded Metal Scrubbers
Static Dissipation	No (insulator)	Yes (conductive)
Ignition Risk	High (spark hazard)	None (grounded)
Worker Safety	Shock risk	Safe (no static buildup)

Static Suppression Methods for PE Gas Scrubbers

Since polyethylene (PE) scrubbers cannot naturally dissipate static, operators must use alternative methods to prevent dangerous charge buildup. Common temporary static suppression techniques include:

The Wet Rag Method

• A water-soaked cloth is wrapped around the PE scrubber to create a conductive path to ground.

• Moisture allows static charges to slowly bleed off instead of accumulating.

• Limitations:

  • Requires frequent re-wetting (not a permanent fix).

  • May introduce corrosion or contamination risks.

Topical Anti-Static Sprays

• Conductive coatings (e.g., static dissipative sprays) are applied to the PE surface.

• Temporarily reduces surface resistance, allowing charge dissipation.

• Limitations:

  • Short-lived effectiveness; reapplication is needed.

  • Only dissipate external static buildup

Why These Are Temporary Fixes

While these methods reduce static risks, they are not foolproof. For a permanent solution, switching to Burgess Pipeline Services’ grounded metal scrubbers ensures continuous static dissipation without maintenance hassles.

Conclusion: Preventing Static-Related Hazards in Gas Scrubbers

Static electricity in PE-based odorant scrubbers is a serious but preventable risk. By switching to Burgess Pipeline Services’ grounded metal scrubbers, facilities can:

• Eliminate static ignition hazards

• Protect workers and equipment

• Ensure compliance with safety standards

Superior Design: Maximizing Media Efficiency

Beyond eliminating static hazards, Burgess Pipeline Services' metal scrubbers feature an innovative slim-profile design that solves the core inefficiency of traditional drum scrubbers.

The Flaw in Drum System Design:

• Gas flows only through the central portion of wide tanks

• Creates permanent "dead zones" where most of the media never reacts

• Wasted media requires premature and costly full replacements

• Inconsistent odorant treatment across the media bed

  
  

Burgess Pipeline Services' Solution:

• Slimmer, longer profile forces complete gas dispersion

• No bypass flow - every media particle contacts gas stream

• Full media utilization eliminates unused material

Need a Safer Gas Scrubber Solution?

Contact Burgess Pipeline Services today to learn how their static-free, grounded metal gas scrubbers can enhance safety in your gas processing systems.

Why PE Gas Scrubbers Need to Be Replaced

Polyethylene (PE) gas scrubbers have become the default choice across our industry - but that doesn't mean they're the right choice. While widely adopted, these non-conductive systems carry hidden risks that many operations unknowingly accept.

The fundamental problem: PE cannot dissipate static electricity. As gas flows through these scrubbers, dangerous charges accumulate, creating:

• Unnecessary ignition risks during venting

• Avoidable worker safety hazards

• Preventable equipment damage

  
  

Temporary fixes like wet rags or anti-static sprays only mask the problem. They're maintenance-intensive bandaids that don't address the core issue.

Burgess Pipeline Services offers grounded metal scrubbers that:

• Permanently eliminate static buildup

• Remove ignition sources from your operations

• Fully utilize filter media by eliminating "dead zones" found in traditional drum gas scrubbers.

• Increase residence time through a longer and slower flowing path

Just because PE scrubbers are common doesn't mean they're safe.

We've detailed the technical and safety considerations in our latest article. Has your operation evaluated this often-overlooked risk?