Role of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment Formation in Transformer Oil

0009-3092/14/4906–0517 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York The structural composition of fresh and aged (under model conditions) GK-grade transformer oil and petrolatum oil is studied by UV and 1N NMR spectroscopy. Comparative experimental studies showed that sediment formation in transformer oil depends essentially on aromatic compounds rather than oxidized compounds, i.e. after reaching a certain concentration arenes coagulate forming solid particles that precipitate. It is concluded that in transformer oil, the aromatic hydrocarbons must be limited to the minimal content possible.