My understanding is that the major source of static potential comes from the
passage of the airframe through the air - so grounding the refuelling rig or
can to the area around the cap (before taking it off) - and giving it time
for the charge to dissapate - is all that is required. In an extreme case,
wiping it down with a damp rag helps too.
The fuel air mixture inside the tank is much too rich to support
combustion - something once proved to me by a total manic, who demonstrated
it by flicking lighted matches into the filler on a car. (second time
around, everyone hit he deck....)
Miles
|