You are cleaning the tanks after carrying a cargo of crude oil. Which statement is TRUE?

Correct Answer: Option B — Steam cleaning and water washing are both capable of generating electrostatic charges within a tank.

Both water droplets from high-pressure washing nozzles and steam jets generate static electricity as they fragment and strike tank surfaces. Droplets carry static charges into the tank atmosphere, forming charged mists. If allowed to accumulate without proper grounding and atmosphere control, electrostatic discharges can ignite flammable vapors present within the cargo space.