The electrostatic charging of a dehydrated and non-dehydrated silica powder used as a catalyst support in polyethylene production was investigated using pulse pneumatic injection. The charge-to-mass ratios (Q/m) of powders were studied at varying conveying line lengths and pathways, conveying gas velocities and powder mass loadings. Results showed a direct relationship between the conveying line length and the powders' charging, whereas changing the pathway did not show a significant effect. Increasing the mass loading from 0.1 to 1 g decreased the powders' Q/m, while increasing the mass loading from 1 to 2 g showed no influence. Increasing the conveying gas velocity from 15 to 30 m/s increased the Q/m of the non-dehydrated powder, whereas no change was observed in the case of the dehydrated powder. Significant tube fouling was observed with the dehydrated powder, while the non-dehydrated powder left a negligible amount of fouling. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.