Optical studies of electrokinetic processes in flowing oil

Abstract

Dielectric liquids subjected to enforced motion in narrow ducts exhibit anomalous but reproducible breakdown behavior[1]. Furthermore the velocity dependent dielectric integrity of such an arrangement is characteristically different for sustained and impulse electric stress[2-4]. The physical mechanisms responsible for electrical breakdown in these circumstances are complex since it is known that both electrohydrodynamic (EHD) phenomena and streaming electrification are present to influence prebreakdown events [2].