1. Problem: Electrostatic Ignition of Pyrophoric Catalyst Powders Spent nickel catalyst (Raney nickel, Ni-Al alloy catalyst) exiting hydrogenation reactors is often pyrophoric — it ignites spontaneously upon contact with air due to the high surface area (80-120 m²/g) of metallic nickel nanoparticles that react exothermically with oxygen. These catalysts are typically handled under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen blanket) during discharge into FIBCs, but the discharge process