Spark Ignition - Ignition of Flammable Mixtures as a Consequence of Gaseous Electronic Discharge 690438

The concept of minimum energy for spark ignition is summarized and then applied to the question of ignition hazard from triboelectrified fluids. It is shown that if certain auxiliary conditions are satisfied, assurance of safety can be given if, and only if, the electric field strength is maintained below the dielectric breakdown strength of the flammable air-vapor mixture.