Static Electrification of Petrols

Abstract

IT is well known that petrols flowing down a tube acquire a quite considerable electrostatic charge, and it is perhaps less well known that the addition of a reasonable quantity of alcohol reduces this charge to insignificant proportions¹. Some recent experiments on the effect of small quantities of alcohol reveal, however, very puzzling results. The pure petrol always acquires a positive charge and the addition of slightly more than 1 per cent of alcohol reduces the charge to zero; but what is remarkable is that the addition of a little more alcohol produces a negative charge until about 8 per cent, after which the charge is negligible.