Corrosion Mechanism for Copper Sulfide Formation Induced by Dibenzyl Disulfide in Oil-Immersed Insulation

Abstract

This paper investigated the influence of paper-wrapped on the deposition of sulfur corrosion on the insulation winding (paper-wrapped copper conductor) in oil-immersed insulation containing dibenzyl disulfide (DBDS). The distribution of sulfur corrosion deposit on a 500-kV electric reactor was investigated and analyzed, and the properties of oil were analyzed. Aging experiments were also conducted for oil-paper insulation with 500-mg/kg DBDS under IEC 62535 corrosion test condition. The corrosion degree of insulation winding was evaluated, and the properties of oil were also discussed. Results showed that the enwinding pattern of the insulating paper on the copper conductor affected the deposition distribution of copper sulfide to be an alternate appearance of a non-corroded crevice and a strip-shaped corrosion deposit on the copper conductor according to the results of field and laboratory. Furthermore, for the insulation winding, the increased number of paper layers on the copper conductor led to the aggravation of sulfur corrosion, prevented the diffusion of copper ions in the oil, and accelerated the formation of acids, which co-affected the properties of the oil. The enwinding of insulating paper on the copper conductor led to the appearance of a tiny crevice on the insulation winding, which is an important occurrence precondition of crevice corrosion. Finally, the mechanism underlying crevice corrosion for insulation winding was theorized as electrochemical corrosion leading to copper sulfide formation.