FORMATION OF VAPOR BUBBLES IN NONPOLAR LIQUIDS INITIATED BY CURRENT PULSES

The electrical conduction of purified non-polar 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 large similarity to the Trichel pulses occurring in air with the exception of no pressure dependence. At atmospheric pressure, bubble formation was correlated with current pulse. In this paper we present a study of the generation and dynamics of the bubble as a function of various parameters: injected energy, hydrostatic pressure (less-than-or-equal-to 12 MPa) and the nature of the liquid. The results obtained from liquid hydrocarbons of different physical and electronic properties are compared and discussed. The transition to a slow bush-like streamer phenomenon is also discussed.