CONDUCTIVITIES OF LOW ORDER IN HYDROCARBONS AND TRANSFORMER OIL

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Abstract
A method is described for removing moisture, air and soluble and suspended matter from oils and hydrocarbons in preparation for measurements of the d.c. conductivities and the power factors. The method at the same time provides for cleaning of the measuring cell and insures that no contamination occurs while measurements are being made. Normal decane, transformer oil and dimethyl octane were studied. In each case, d.c. conductivities in the lower range of 10−18 ohm−1 cm−1 were obtained, suggesting that if individual hydrocarbons have characteristic d.c. conductivities they must be of the order 10−19 or lower. In each substance the power factor was reduced to cos θ=0.0004 at room temperatures. A normal temperature-power factor function was found for the purified transformer oil. Near saturation was observed at the early stages of purification. Then, as purification proceeded, there was approach to Ohm's law, and finally approach to saturation again. It is pointed out that saturation at the early stages is the unexpected and unexplained feature. Some time-current curves and volt-ampere characteristics bearing on the phenomenon of electrical cleaning are included.