See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/287360756

Impact of various stresses on the streaming electrification of transformer oil

Article  in  Journal of Electrostatics · February 2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.elstat.2015.11.004

CITATIONS READS

6 176

3 authors:

Mama Talhi Issouf Fofana

Université d'Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed University of Québec in Chicoutimi
7 PUBLICATIONS   22 CITATIONS    269 PUBLICATIONS   2,381 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

S. Flazi
Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d'Oran Mohamed Boudiaf
93 PUBLICATIONS   334 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Transformer oil reclamation by combining several strategies enhanced by the use of four adsorbents View project

thèse de doctorat View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Issouf Fofana on 08 January 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Journal of Electrostatics
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/elstat

Impact of various stresses on the streaming electrification of

transformer oil
M. Talhi a, I. Fofana b, *, S. Flazi c
a
University of Oran 2 e IMSI, Oran, Algeria
b
Canada Research Chair on Insulating Liquids and Mixed Dielectrics for Electrotechnology (ISOLIME), Universit
e du Qu  Chicoutimi, Qu
ebec a ebec, Canada
c
University of Science and Technology of Oran e Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO MB), Algeria

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In this contribution the influence of various stresses and their combined impact on the electrostatic
Received 3 July 2015 charging tendency of oil is studied. Various physicochemical properties were measured according to
Received in revised form ASTM Standards to detect changes in oil quality. A free radical reagent, 2.2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
20 November 2015
(DPPH), was added to oil before and after the application of stresses to determine free radical concen-
Accepted 21 November 2015
Available online xxx
tration. The results obtained show that the application of stresses contributes to an increase in the
electrification current. These results also demonstrate that electrification current is affected by the
quantity of the free radicals.
Keywords:
Power transformers
© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Mineral oil
Cellulose paper
Electrostatic Charging Tendency
Dissolved Decay Products
Turbidity
Moisture content
Electrical discharge
Thermal stress
Spinning disk system
Free radicals

1. Introduction solid insulation materials commonly used as wrapping (e.g., turn

insulation, cable wraps) and spacers (e.g., layer insulation) are
The role of insulation is paramount importance, in the sense cellulosic papers and boards made with special care from wood
that it is one of the fundamental conditions for the reliable oper- pulps [2]. These papers, pressed boards (the so-called pressboards),
ation of power equipment. Insulating materials design/selection is and wooden parts show modest dielectric performance due to their
one of the most important problem engineers have to face. This is porous structure. Their dielectric strength is predominantly
due to wide variety of available insulation (oil, air, vacuum, ceramic, conditioned by gaseous ionization within the air inclusions. They
etc…). Moreover, insulating materials span all three forms of are therefore adequately impregnated with transformer oil to
matter (solid, liquid and gas), with sometimes a single form eliminate air and increase their resistance to electrical breakdown.
involved but often a combination of forms, such as the solid/liquid When a liquid comes in contact with a solid wall, the complex
or the solid/gas forms. liquidesolid polarizes under the effect of a physicochemical phe-
Composite liquid/paper insulation is used in power transformer. nomenon at the interface; this process leads to the generation of
Insulating liquid in transformer is mainly of mineral origin, but may charges within solid/insulating liquid interfaces. The system can be
be of synthetic and vegetable origin [1]. The most widely used considered in equilibrium when there is no more charge transfer at
insulation systems for nearly a century are petroleum-based oil, the interface (no current flowing at the interface): the chemical
(the so-called transformer oil) combined with solid insulation. The reaction is stopped or considered stationary, offset by leaks to
ground via the interface. Any motion of the liquid affects this dy-
namic equilibrium condition. The lack or smaller amount of counter
* Corresponding author. charges in the liquid introduces an imbalance for which
E-mail address: ifofana@uqac.ca (I. Fofana).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.elstat.2015.11.004
0304-3886/© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
26 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32

compensation is made by new reactions at the interface generating

the streaming/electrification current. The physicochemical pro-
cesses at the interface generates new charges transfer, compen-
sating the convective transport of the diffuse layer, the generated
current is also equal to the currents created by the leak and tran-
sient accumulation of charges at the interface, the compact layer
remaining integral with the interface [3e5]. It is generally accepted
that the transport of charges, present in the diffuse layer is
responsible for the electrical double layer (EDL) “rupture” [4].
The streaming current is due to the convection of charge from
the layer diffuses into the liquid. It depends on the properties of the
double layer: thickness, density of space charge at the interface, and
the duration of the double layer.
The thickness of the diffuse layer is generally equated with the
Debye length [4].
Streaming/flow electrification in power transformers has been
studied for decades, since the charge generation phenomenon was
suspected to be responsible for power transformer failures [6].
In the case of the mineral-oil impregnated pressboard and pa-
pers, it is observed that the pressboard generally holds a negative
charge, while the oils hold a positive charge [4e28]. The oil does
not remain charged for a long time because its flow makes it
possible for the positive charges to be released, once they contact
any metal part connected to the mass (tank). On the other hand, the
pressboard retains its negative charges. The charges accumulated at
the pressboardeoil interface can lead to high potentials and initiate
partial discharges [5].
Many studies reported in the literature made it possible to
determine the main factors that influence static electrification
[4e28]. Among these factors the purity of oil was recognized as an
Fig. 1. Diagram of the system with a spinning disk for studying the electrification of
important one. At the same time, several devices were being insulating liquids: (1) Faraday cage; (2) DC motor; (3) Electrometer; (4) DC power
developed to study the phenomenon. Different facilities and pro- supply; (5) measuring container containing oil; (6) insulator; (7) coaxial cable; (8) disk
tocols have been developed for studying the electrostatic charging (9) rotating mandrel (10) connecting wire.
tendency (ECT) in a spinning disk system [6,7], Couette charger
[8,9] or in the Westinghouse protocol [10]. All these measurements used in these investigations. The spinning disk system and the
analyzed hazards according to the streamed charges, commonly electrometer were placed in a Faraday cage (Fig. 1). The rotating
called “streaming current”. At the University of Poitiers, an original disk was driven by a proportional-integral (PI) based speed
sensor was developed to measure the quantity of charge that ac- controlled DC motor. The rotating velocity of the disk was varied
cumulates in well-insulated pressboard [11e15]. between 100 and 600 rpm. The container as well as the rotating
Under normal operating conditions, transformer oil is degraded disk was made of aluminum. The temperature of oil was set and
due to various stresses, including electrical, chemical, and thermal controlled within the range of 20 ± 0.1
C using a heating system.
ones. The degradation by-products or decay products in the insu- The electrification currents and the rotation speed measured using
lating oil are composed of a variety of compounds, such as perox- an encoder, were simultaneously recorded via a data acquisition
ides, aldehydes, ketones and organic acids. Each one of them is Excelinx system developed by Keitley. The data were stored as Excel
partially adsorbed on the large surface of the paper insulation. This files to allow further analyses using other software applications.
article contains experimental results of the electrostatic charging The static electrification current (leakage current) created by the
tendency (ECT) of mineral-based oil submitted to the following charge concentration gradient was measured with a programmable
stresses: electrical stress, local thermal overheating and a combi- electrometer (Keitley 6514) inserted between the tank and the
nation of both stresses in a spinning disk system. The results are ground.
correlated with the concentration of dissolved decay products Due to centrifugal force, the charges created by the rotating
(DDP) and free radicals content in the fluid samples. The influence motion of the disk in oil are drained toward the tank wall, where
of the type and thickness of papers on the ECT of oil is also they are collected. The streaming current was measured as leakage
investigated. current (in pA), from the container to the ground using an elec-
trometer inserted between the tank and the ground.
2. Experimental procedure The electrometer, based on the National Semiconductor
LMC6001 BiFET op-amp, had an input resistance of 1015 U and an
The investigations were performed using a spinning disk system input bias current no greater than 25 fA. The 1000 MU feedback
designed in our laboratory, in which the disk is covered on both resistor made it possible to take measurements as low as ±5nA. The
sides with cellulose or aramid paper [20e25]. This system has been 500 kU input resistor limited the input current to safe levels in
adopted by CIGRE (Confe rence des Grands Re 
seaux Electrique, cases of significant electrostatic potential on the electrometer
Paris, France) for international comparative measurements of both input. Two different papers were used to cover the rotating disk: (i)
insulating liquid and solid transformer materials (CIGRE Paper cellulose having a thickness of 1 mm and 3 mm, and (ii) a 1 mm
[16,17]) and is used relatively often in streaming electrification thick Aramid Paper. These paper samples were vacuum dried in an
studies [6,7,18e27]. oven at 100
C for 48 h, and then impregnated with dehydrated,
A disk having a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 5 mm was degasified naphthenic type based inhibited oil.
 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32 27

Table 1 Method D 6180, was used (Fig. 2). The free electrons are
Some technical data concerning mineral oil. generated by a cylindrical copper electrode 15 mm (0.6 inches)
ASTM tests Mineral oil in diameter and 10 mm long sealed in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer
Dissipation factor (%)
glass. The electrode is placed in the center of the discharge cell
@ 100
C, D 924 <0.1 and suspended above the oil.
Breakdown voltage (kV)
D 877 >40 The distance between the central electrode and the surface of oil
D 1816 (0.0800 gap) >50
is approximately 25.4 mm (1 inch). Before applying the voltage, the
Gassing tendency (mL/min), D 2300B negative
Water content (ppm), D 1533 <20 discharge cell was vacuumed down to 1 Torr (133 Pa). After vacuum
Interfacial Tension (dynes/cm @ 25
C), D 971 48 degassing, the oil sample was subjected to high voltage discharge of
Total Acid Number (mg KOH/g), D 974 <0.01 10 kV during 5 h. After measuring five times, the pressure increases
Viscosity (mm2/s), D 445 inside the discharge cell to assess the quantity of gasses evolved.
40
C 7.5
100
C 1.9
Electrical breakdown according to ASTM D 877 [32] is referred
40
C 2100 to as Stress 2. This type of breakdown does not provide a long
0
C 45 burning arc, but more like a spark in the oil. 50 breakdowns were
Color, D 1500 <0.5 initiated in the oil. The level of voltage corresponds to the minimum
Flash point (
C), D 92 150
threshold of the oil's degradation [33] (Fig. 3).
Pour point (
C), D 97 63

- Local overheating is referred to as Stress 3: a laboratory designed

setup [34] was used to simulate a local hot spot in the oil
The electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) was studied for a
samples. The setup consists of a Borosilicate-glass vessel and a
naphthenic-based mineral oil. Table 1 summarizes some of the
Teflon cover with clamps to hold the heating wire. The heating
main properties of mineral oil.
wire is made of constantan due to its stable resistivity in a wide
For each sample of oil, the electrification current was recorded
range of temperatures. The local overheating was applied for
for different rotational velocities. At each velocity, the currents
30 min. The temperature, measured with a NiCrNi-temperature
were recorded with a sampling rate of 195 samples/min. The mean
sensor, reached approximately 250
C. The heating current is
value of the electrification current was calculated and used for
supplied by a high current transformer, while the temperature
further analysis. In addition to static electrification, the dielectric
of the wire was regulated by an ampere meter connected to the
properties were also assessed, i.e. the moisture content by Karl
secondary circuits. This test setup allows the local controlled
Fisher titration [28], turbidity in oil by a ratio-turbidimeter [29], the
heating of the liquid beyond 500
C [34] (Fig. 4).
interfacial tension (IFT) [30] and the dissolved decay products
- The oil samples were also submitted to combination of these
(DDP) by UV/Vis spectrophotometer [31]. Also, the relative quantity
stresses as illustrated in Table 3.
of free radicals contained in new oil and after the application of
various stresses was assessed using a method of spectrophotom-
Tables 2 and 3 report some of the physicochemical properties of
etry UV-VIS.
oil and paper which are the moisture content [28], the Interfacial
tension (IFT) [30], Turbidity [29] and Dissolved Decay Products
3. Discussions and results (DDP) [31]. These properties were measured before and after the
application of stress.
The mineral oil sample was submitted to various stresses: The values reported in Table 2 indicate that this oil is of poor
quality and contains a considerable quantity of residual polar
- Electrical discharge according to ASTM D 6180 is referred to as compounds or molecules, unstable hydrocarbons and volatile
Stress 1. A Merell-based test cell type, defined in the ASTM Test molecules.
As long as chemical bonds inside the hydrocarbon chains are not
broken, the generation of decay products is impeded. The increase
in the temperature of oil may provide energy capable of splitting a
covalent bond. Moisture (which is considered the enemy number
one of solid insulation); copper/copper alloys in aluminum wind-
ings and iron (which are primary transformer components); and
oxygen act as aging catalysts while heat, aging by-products, dirt,
vibration, electrical stress, and so on, accelerate the process.

Fig. 2. Discharge cell according to ASTM D 6180. Fig. 3. The experimental cell allowing the generation of arcs in oil to ASTM 877.
28 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32

The increase in free radical concentration increases random

chemical reactions between free radicals. Thus, soluble and insol-
uble oil-borne decay products are the outcome. As a result, the
products of dissolved decomposition such as DDP (peroxides, al-
dehydes, ketones and organic acids, alcohols, anhydride of acid,
metal soap) and turbidity (sludge of asphalts, soap sludge, carbon
sludge…) are likely to increase while the interfacial tension (IFT)
decreases (Table 3).
When hydrocarbon molecules (mineral oil) are subjected to the
electric stress, they tend to break up into free radicals and to pre-
cipitate in the form of sludge or waxes [35]. The increase in
turbidity indicates the formation of colloidal suspensions. The
presence of colloidal suspensions affects the oil's ability as an
insulant and may affect the cooling efficiency of the transformer.
This reduction in oil rigidity of is also shown by the high moisture
values.
The relative free radical content of petroleum-based insulating
oils origin was determined using a UV-VIS Spectrophotometric
method. The DPPH assay of the essential oil was carried out as
previously described [35e37]. A reactive free radical reagent, 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), is added to a solution of
toluene and oil whose free radical concentration is to be deter-
Fig. 4. Prototype used for local overheating of the insulating fluid samples. mined. The rate that the DPPH disappears is directly proportional to
the relative free radical content at a particular instant of time. So-
lutions of DPPH, even at a concentration of 105 M, are blue-violet
Electrical stress together with heat and moisture, in the presence of
in color. The more radicals are present in the oil, the faster it reaches
oxygen, oxidises the oil producing free radicals, acids, and sludge
zero absorbance. The scavenging activity of DPPH can be repre-
that are deleterious to the transformer [35]. Free radicals may be
sented by the following chemical reactions, where AH denotes an
generated by thermal decomposition, electrical discharge, elec-
anti-oxidant and R, a free radical:
trolysis at an electrode, mechanical damage, chemical reactions,
and high energy radiation and are thus implicated in the ageing
DPPH þ AH / DPPH  H þ A (1)
process [35].
When weak bonds split, free radicals are formed. These radicals
DPPH þ R / DPPH  R (2)
are highly unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying
to capture the needed electron to gain stability. Broken molecules The reaction mixture was vortexed thoroughly, left in the dark at
and “knocked-out” hydrogen atoms are free radicals and hence 25
C for 30 min and measured at 520 nm.
paramagnetic. Through secondary chemical reactions, the small The absorbance curve of the area was performed for every
fragments of broken molecules usually generate a gas that dissolves sweep. The ability of the oil sample to scavenge DPPH radical was
in the oil without modifying the one phase system. The collision of calculated as % inhibition by the following equation [36]:
two large free radicals leads to the formation of large colloidal
compounds having a molecular weight between 500 and 600 Abs Control  Abs Sample
(sludge that is a solid phase) that are no longer soluble in the oil. % Inhibition ¼  100 (3)
Abs Control
When two large free radicals couple their unpaired electrons to
generate a similar insoluble hydrocarbon without oxygen in the where Abs control is the absorbance of the DPPH radical þ toluene;
middle, the decay product formed has the generic name of x-wax. Abs sample is the absorbance of DPPH radical þ oil sample. The

Table 2
Some physicochemical properties of mineral oil and paper at 20
C before the application of the stresses.

Water content (ppm) Turbidity (NTU) DDP (u.a.) IFT dynes/cm, T ¼ 22
C)

Mineral oil 2.4 0.728 3.38 34

Aramid paper 0.1% e e e
Cellulose 0.2% e e e

Table 3
Some physicochemical properties of mineral oil at 20
C after the application of the stress(es).

Water content (ppm) Turbidity (NTU) DDP (u.a.) IFT (dynes/cm)

Stress 2 17.2 1.8 8.73 32

Stress 1 23.7 2.14 12.79 31
Stress 3 28.3 2.53 45.39 29.5
Stress 1 þ Stress 2 27.8 2.28 45.79 28.5
Stress 3 þ Stress 1 31.7 2.78 59.27 26
Stress 3 þ Stress 2 29.7 2.65 46.10 27.5
Stress 3 þ Stress 2 þ Stress 1 34.3 3.5 68.30 26
 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32 29

Fig. 7. Average streaming electrification current of mineral oil (after the application of
Fig. 5. Antioxidant activity of unused and used (after the application of various
stresses) as function of the spinning disk velocity. The measurements were performed
stresses) oil samples as a function of time with a DPPH reference solution at a 0.01%
at 20
C with a disk diameter of 4 cm covered with 1 mm thick Aramid paper.
concentration.

Fig. 6. Temporal evolution of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters Fig. 8. Average value of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters 4 cm
4 cm with 1 mm thick Aramid) for the mineral oil before application of stresses covered with 1 mm thick Aramid paper) versus the spinning disk velocity, for mineral
(without stresses). The measurements were performed at 20
C. The spinning disk oil (after combination of stresses). The measurements were performed at 20
C.
velocity acted as a parameter.

observation.
results of these measures performed every 60 s for a total duration Figs. 7 and 8 represent the average streaming electrification
of 20 min, are summarized in Fig. 5. current as a function of the spinning disk velocity for different
It can be seen that the inhibition increases with time elapsed. stresses (electric and thermal), respectively, and the combination of
The amount of free radicals increases in the new oil sample after these stresses.
stresses applications. Thermal stress yielded a higher amount of The streaming electrification current increases after stress
free radicals. Oil thermally stressed demonstrated stronger in- application. This increase is much higher after the application of
hibitions (Fig. 2). New oil had lower activity than the stressed oils. thermal stresses for all the spinning disk velocities. The injection of
a. Influence of stresses applied and spinning disc velocity free electrons (e) in oil (Stress 1) breaks the chemical bonds be-
Out of Fig. 6, it can be observed that the peak value of the tween the hydrocarbon chains; after this rupture, the buildup of
streaming electrification current increases with velocity of the disk decomposition by-products is possible [35e41]. These products
to reach saturation. The accumulation of charges is important at accelerate the aging of oil and paper and increase the viscosity of
higher speeds (600 rpm). The variation of current for different oil. The electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) increases along with
speeds is practically weak because our oil sample did not contain the escalation of the liquid's viscosity. The decomposition of the
many impurities; measurements evidenced by data reported in hydrocarbon chains produces a number of important free radicals
Table 2 confirm this result. The sign of the current is positive for all that affect the electrification current.
speeds. The currents measured during the studies carried out with The streaming electrification current is significantly higher after
ECT device and the loop of flow of the LEA [5] clearly confirmed this the application of Stress 1. This is mainly because in the stress 1, the
30 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32

Fig. 11. Average value of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters 4 cm
Fig. 9. Relationship between mineral oil properties and the streaming electrification
covered with Aramid paper or Cellulose) for the mineral oil before and after applica-
current (disk diameters 4 cm covered with 1 mm thick Aramid paper). The mea-
tion of stresses. The measurements were performed at 20
C, with a spinning disk
surements were performed at 20
C with a spinning disk rotating speed at 600 rpm.
rotating speed at 600 rpm.

oil sample was stressed during 5 h, compared to the 50 breakdown

content. The decomposition by-products worsen the quality of oil
tests caused in oil (Stress 2). Heat produced by the magnetic
and paper and increase the leakage current. The relation between
boundary-layer is another factor that contributes to the degrada-
the products of decomposition and the streaming electrification
tion process [39], since high temperatures activate chemical re-
current has been studied over the past decade [21,40].
actions that precede the formation of decay products and increase
b. Influence of the material covering the disk
the mobility of charge carriers and free radicals [35]. The temper-
A cellulose-based paper and a poly-aramid-based synthetic
ature directly affects viscosity values.
insulation were both considered. Poly-aramid-based synthetic
Application of thermal stress caused inversions of the charge
insulation, with a trade name Aramid®, is more expensive than
polarity of the usually measured current. This phenomenon of sign
cellulose. Aramid is used selectively in high temperature
inversion was also observed after the addition of certain additives
demanding applications, for example in traction transformers.
in oil [5].
Figs, 10 and 11 show the influence of the oil/paper interface on
From Fig. 8, it can be observed that electrification currents are
the electrification phenomena. The electrification current increases
much higher after the application of combined stresses. This phe-
after the application of stresses. From Figs. 10 and 11, it can be
nomenon can be traced to the large number of broken hydrocarbon
observed that the electrification current increases after the appli-
bonds after the application of stresses that cause severe degrada-
cation of stresses. The streaming electrification generated at the
tion. As expected from the data reported in Table 3, the ECT in-
interface between the spinning disk and the flowing oil, is influ-
creases with applied stress.
enced by the physicochemical composition of material used to
Fig. 9 summarizes the variation of the electrification current and
cover the disk. This observation stressed that the chemical
aging indexes, such as DDP, turbidity, IFT and water content. These
composition of papers plays a significant role in the ECT of oil. The
properties were measured after the application of stresses ac-
porosity of the papers (diameter, length, number of pores) may also
cording to ASTM standards.
play an important role [21,42]. Generally speaking, the ECT is higher
The ECT increases with increasing DDP, Turbidity and moisture

Fig. 12. Temporal evolution of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters
Fig. 10. Temporal evolution of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters 4 cm with Cellulose) for the mineral oil before application of stresses (without
4 cm with Aramid paper or Cellulose) for the mineral oil before the application of stresses). The measurements were performed at 20
C. The spinning disk velocity acted
stresses (without stresses). The measurements were performed at 20
C. as a parameter.
 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32 31

Fig. 13. Average value of the streaming electrification current (disk diameters 4 cm covered with Cellulose) for mineral oil after application of stresses. The measurements were
performed at 20
C, with a spinning disk rotating speed at 600 rpm.

when oil is paired with cellulose-based paper. For un-stressed pa- Acknowledgment
pers, Aramid is less affected by the streaming electrification.
Chemically, the smoother surface and chemical structure of Aramid This work was partially sponsored by the Fonds de recherche  du
are factors that probably help limit the streaming electrification Quebec e Nature et technologies (FRQNT) under Grant No. 2013-
phenomenon [43]. Unlike cellulose paper, its thermal stability al- PR-166504. The authors would like to thank James Cross (Man-
lows reducing the ECT in the oil. ager, Research and Development) from Weidmann Electrical
c. Influence thickness of paper Technology Inc. (St. Johnsbury, VT, USA) for supplying the materials.
From Figs. 10 and 11, it was observed that cellulose depicted Thanks are also extended to Institut de Maintenance et de Se curite

higher tendency to charges generation. These tests were therefore, Industrielle (IMSI), University of Oran (Algeria) for supporting the
performed with cellulose. The variation of the electrification cur- research stay of Mrs Talhi in Canada.
rent with the thickness (e) of paper is represented by Figs. 12 and
13.
References
The results portrayed in these Figs. 12 and 13 show that the
electrification current increases with the thickness of paper. Like- [1] I. Fofana, 50 years in the development of insulating liquids, IEEE Electr. Insul.
wise, the electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) is affected by the Mag. 29 (5) (October/November 2013) 13e25.
[2] T.O. Rouse, Mineral oil in transformers, IEEE Elec. Insul. Mag. 14 (3) (1998).
thickness of the solid insulation as reported in the literature [43].
[3] G. Touchard, Streaming current developed in laminar and turbulent flows
By increasing the thickness of dielectric material, the accumu- through a pipe, J. Electrostat. 5 (1978) 463e476.
lation of charges increases at the interface of oils/paper. It is [4] I.A. Metwally, P. Leblanc, T. Paillat, Measurement of currents and floating
important to note that the higher the charge density at the interface potential in multilayer sensor due to oil-flow electrification, J. Electrostat 71
(6) (Dec. 2013) 1061e1067.
the higher the streaming electrification current is [27]. 
[5] A. Bourgeois, Etude du phe nome ne d'electrisation par e coulement sur les
cartons des transformateurs de puissance, l'INP Grenoble, Institut national
polytechnique, Grenoble, The se, 9 Fevrier, 2007.
4. Conclusions [6] I.A. Metwally, Characterization of static electrification in power transformers,
IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 3 (2) (1996) 307e315.
[7] J. Harvey, R.J.K. Wood, G. Denault, H.E.G. Powrie, Effect of oil quality on
In this contribution, the experimental investigations onto the electrostatic charge generation and transport, J. Electrostat. 55 (May, 2002)
electrostatic electrification for unused mineral oil under the impact 1e23.
[8] D.J. Lyon, J.R. Melcher, M. Zahn, Couette charger for measurements of equi-
of electric and thermal stresses were carried out in a disk spinning
librium and energization flow electrification parameters: application to
system. The results obtained show that: transformers insulation, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 23 (1) (1988) 159e176.
[9] A.P. Washabaugh, M. Zahn, Flow electrification measurements of transformer
- the spinning speed has a direct impact on the electrostatic insulation using a Couette flow facility, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 3 (2) (1996)
161e181.
charging tendency (ECT). [10] T.V. Oommen, S.R. Lindgren, Static electrification properties of transformers
- ECT is influenced by the roughness and the porosity of paper; oil, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 23 (1) (1998) 123e128.
the manufacturers of paper may find it beneficial for the design/ [11] M. El-Adawy, T. Paillat, G. Touchard, J.M. Cabaleiro, Numerical simulation of
the electrical double layer development: physicochemical model at the solid
manufacture of materials with the flow of oil in mind. and dielectric liquid interface for laminar flow electrification phenomenon,
- ECT is affected by the relative quantity of the free radicals. IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 18 (5) (2011) 1463e1475.
- Under controlled laboratory conditions, it was shown that [12] M. El-Adawy, T. Paillat, Y. Bertrand, O. Moreau, G. Touchard, Physicochemical
analysis at the interface between conductive solid and dielectric liquid for
incipient electrical and/or thermal failures in the transformer flow electrification phenomenon, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 46 (4) (2010)
increase the electrostatic charging tendency (ECT). This may 1593e1600.
initiate partial discharge and subsequent short-circuit with [13] T. Paillat, P. Mas, O. Moreau, G. Touchard, Flow electrification in transformers:
relevance of ECT and leakage current measurements, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul.
dramatic consequences for the utilities and customers. 10 (1) (Feb.2003) 7e14.
[14] A. Bourgeois, G. Mortha, T. Paillat, G. Touchard, O. Moreau, Y. Bertrand, Flow
These results emphasize the need for diligently monitoring the electrification in power transformers: study of a potential remedy, IEEE Trans.
Electr. Insul. (2006) 650e656.
transformer oils during service. Since the condition of oil can be a
[15] I.A. Metwally, P. Leblanc, T. Paillat, Behavior of electrical double layer under oil
decisive factor, which determines the life span of the transformer, it flow and voltage application inside a capacitive sensor, IET Sci. Meas. Technol.
must therefore be kept in pristine condition. The results indicate (2013) 1e17. 17-Sep.
that Dissolved Decay Products (DDP), turbidity, interfacial tension [16] C. J. W. Group, Static Electrification in Power Transformers, CIGRE, General
Session, paper 15/12-03, Paris, 1992.
(IFT) and the relative amount of free radicals values can be possibly [17] J. Samat, Summary of the TF Activity since 1990 CIGRE Session, Report CIGRE
used as an effective index for insulating oil degradation assessment. SC 15 WG 15-01Force JWG 12/15-13-01, 1990.
32 M. Talhi et al. / Journal of Electrostatics 79 (2016) 25e32

[18] J. Ke˛ dzia, B. Willner, Electrification current in the spinning disc system, IEEE [32] ASTM D 877, Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage of
Trans. Electr. Insul. 1 (1994) 58e62. Insulating Liquides Using Disk Electrodes, Annual Book of ASTM standards,
[19] L. Peyraque, A. Be roual, F. Buret, Static electrification of pressboard/oil inter- 2008 ed: 10.03.
face and transient phenomena, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 5 (3) (June 1998) [33] M. Jovalekic, D. Vukovic, S. Tenbohlen, Dissolved gas analysis of alternative
443e448. dielectric fluids, Dielectric Liquids (ICDL), in: IEEE International Conference
[20] I. Fofana, Y. Bouslimi, H. Hemmatjou, C. Volat, Studying transformer oil static on, 26e30, Juin 2011.
electrification in the spinning disc system, in: The International Conference on [34] I. Fofana, V. Wasserberg, H. Borsi, E. Gockenbach, Challenge for a mixed
High Voltage Engineering and Application (ICHVE 2010), New Orleans, 2010. insulating liquids for using in high voltage transformers e Part 1 : The
[21] I. Fofana, Y. Bousllimi, H. Hemmatjou, C. Volat, Relationship between static dielectric behavior of the mixed liquids, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. Mag. 18 (3)
electrification of transformer oils with turbidity and spectrophotometry (May/June 2002) 18e31.
measurements, Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst. 54 (2013) 38e44. [35] I. Fofana, J. Sabau, A. Betie, Measurement of the Relative Free Radical Content
[22] Y. Bouslimi, K. Taheri, I. Fofana, H. Hemmatjou, C. Volat, Influence of oil-paper of Insulating Oils of Petroleum Origin, Energies 8 (8) (2015) 7690.
conditions on the static electrification phenomena of transformer oils, Int. J. [36] M. M. H. ASTM STP 1376, Ed., American Society of Testing and Materials, West
High Volt. Eng. 39 (8) (August 31, 2013). Conshohocken, PA, The Electrochemical Stability of Mineral Insulating Oils,
[23] M. Talhi, I. Fofana, S. Flazi, Comparative study of the electrostatic charging Electrical Insulating Materials, 2000. International Issues, ed.
tendency between synthetic ester and mineral oil, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 20 [37] J.S. N'Cho, De veloppement de nouvelles me thodes de diagnostic et de
(Oct. 2013) 1598e1606. ge
re  ne
ration des huiles pour transformateurs de puissance, l'e cole doctorale
[24] M. Talhi, I. Fofana, S. Flazi, The electrostatic charging tendency of some lectronique, e
e lectrotechnique, automatique Lyon, The se doctorat soutenue le
environmentally friendly fluids, IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. Conf. Ottawa-Canada 10 mars, 2011.
(2013) 378e382. June 2-5. [38] S.O. Okoh, O.T. Asekun, O.B. Familoni, A.J. Afolayan, Antioxidant and free

[25] M. Talhi, I. Fofana, S. Flazi, Etude Comparative de la Tendance a  la Charge entre radical scavenging capacity of seed and shell essential oils extracted from
huiles mine rales et Esters, 8e me confe rence de la Socie te
 Française Abrus precatorius (L), Antioxidants 3 (2014) 278e287.

d’Electrostatique (SFE), Cherbourg-Octeville, France, 2012. [39] J.C. Espín, C. Soler-Rivas, H.J. Wichers, Characterization of the total free radical

[26] M. Talhi, I. Fofana, S. Flazi, Etude experimentale de la tendance a  la charge de scavenger capacity of vegetable oils and oil fractions using 2,2-diphenyl-1-
dielectrique liquides utilise s dans les transformateurs de puissance, The I3rd picrylhydrazyl radical, J. Agric. Food Chem. 48 (3) (2000) 648e656.
International Meeting on Dielectric Materials IMDM'3, Tunisia, 2011. [40] S. Taheri, A. Gholami, I. Fofana, H. Taheri, Mode lisation et simulation de la
[27] M. Zdanowski, S. Wolny, D.O. Zmarzly, T. Boczar, ECT of ethanol and hexane capacite  de chargement et transformateur de la tempe rature de point chaud
mixtures in the spinning disk system, J. Electrostat. 65 (2007) 239e243. dans des conditions harmoniques, Electr. Power Energy Syst. 86 (mai 2012)
[28] ASTM D 1533, Standard Test Method for Water in Insulating Liquids by 68e75.
Coulometric Karl Fisher Titration, Annual Book of Standards, 2005 ed: 10.03. [41] J.S. N'Cho, I. Fofana, T. Aka-Ngnui, A. Beroual, Parameters affecting the static
[29] ASTM D 6181, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Turbidity in Mineral electrification of aged transformer oils, in: Annual Conference on Electrical
Insulating Oil of Petroleum Origin, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 2003 ed: Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena (CEIDP), Cancun, Mexico, Oct 2011, pp.
10.03. 16e19.
[30] ASTM D 971, Standard Test Method for Interfacial Tension of Oil Against [42] J.M. Cabaleiro, T. Paillat, O. Moreau, G. Touchard, Flow electrification of
Water by the Ring Method, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 2004 ed: 10.03. dielectric liquids in insulating channels: limits to the application of the clas-
[31] ASTM D 6802e02, Test Method for Determination of the Relative Content of sical wall current expression, J. Electrostat. 66 (1/2) (Jan. 2008) 79e83.
Dissolved Decay Products in Mineral Insulating Oils by Spectrophotometry, [43] J.R. Sierota, Electrostatic charging in transformer oils- testing and assessment,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 2002 ed: 10.03. IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 1 (1994) 840e870.

View publication stats