Formation of vapor bubbles in nonpolar liquids initiated by current pulses

Abstract

The electrical conduction of purified nonpolar liquids with point-plane electrode geometry was studied as a function of various parameters. For negative polarity of the point, a pulse regime has been observed which bears a great similarity to the TRICHEL pulses occurring in air, with the exception of a lack of pressure dependence. At atmospheric pressure, bubble formation was correlated with current pulse. The generation and dynamics of the bubble are studied as a function of various parameters: injected energy, hydrostatic pressure (up to 12 MPa), and the nature of the liquid (cyclohexane, n-pentane, n-decane, iso-octane, and tetramethylsilane).<>