Evolution of Hydrogen from Iusulating Oil in Transformers

Gases dissolved in transformer oil are analyzed for the diagnosis of transformers in operation. In some newly installed transformers, we found that the combustible gases dissolved in the oil were mostly hydrogen. From considering the dehydrogenation equilibrium of saturated hydrocarbons it is concluded that oil generates a small amount of hydrogen even at the normal operating temperature of transformers, and there may be catalytic action of metal on the dehydrogenation of oil in these transformers. We found that stainless steel is such a catalyst.