What is the minimum electostatic charge in volts required to arc through a standard air space to a well grounded object? We are having a problem with static discharge from a rubber/toluene based coating as it is being processed. Material is consistency of molasses and is being pumped through a stainless strainer screen then free falls into a small open top tank. Two flash fires from static/toluene vapors have occurred.
I have an electrostatic field meter that measures in kV. We have been doing some testing of the rubber prior to being solvated, as well as, after when being "strained".
Trying to understand what the maximum kV value is we should stay below to prevent a static "arc".