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The present methods of ascertaining the probable sludging of transformer oils are laborious. A simple test, comparable to that used in obtaining the dielectric strength, would be of considerable value in reducing test manpower, equipment and expense. Present investigators measure such properties as oxygen absorption, colour change, increase in acidity, carbon dioxide evolved, water formed, the power factor, and the lnterfacial-tension value. Numerous dielectric materials exhibit anomalous dispersions. The attendant rise in dissipation factor encountered at the points of dispersion is helpful in determining the amounts and types of polarization present. Transformer oils, although initially non-polar, are subject to oxidation. This oxidation produces materials of polar molecular structure which govern the power loss in alternating current electric fields. The problem is one of correlating such losses to the state of the oil under test. This thesis deals with the investigations carried out on the above problem. Absorption bands for transformer oils have been found. The present work describes the presence and location of such absorption bands, and illustrates how the dipolar state of the oil affects the position of the loss peaks. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Bibliography: pages 163-169. / The objective of this work was to produce γ-linolenic acid (γLA) using a fungus in submerged fermentation. Selection work was aimed at identifying a fungal strain capable of yielding a high level of γLA in an industrial fermentation. Thirty-nine fungal strains were screened under shake flask conditions. The major criteria used in evaluating these strains were, the yield of γLA per unit volume (g/l) and γLA as a percentage of fatty acids, which is important in the downstream processing of γLA . Other parameters of industrial importance such as strain handling and the fatty acid profile were also considered. Eleven fungi in the order Phycomycetes were identified after initial screening. From these fungi, a strain of Choanephora cucurbitarum was found to give superior γLA yields. c. cucurbitarum produced γLA yields of 331mg/l and 674mg/l in shake flask and laboratory fermenters respectively. This strain had other industrially beneficial qualities such as good sporulation, a good biomass of 22, 5g/l and a relatively high yield of γLA of 2,99g/100g dry matter. Subsequently a Zygorhynchus heterogamus strain was found to give similar yields of γLA to c. cucurbitarum. z. heterogamus also had a high γLA : linoleic acid ratio which aids the purification of γLA . This is the first known report of a high level of γLA in the genus Zygorhynchus. The industrial development of γLA production by Zygorhynchus is not reported.

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The purpose of the investigation was to determine the influence of certain factors on the velocity of saponification of fats and oils by potassium hydroxide. The idea of measuring the velocity of a reaction was first suggested by K. F. Wenzel in 1777. Wenzel defined the velocity of a reaction as the ratio, ( x/d±\ of the amount of substance changed to the time in which it is changed. This definition is still accepted. The factors influencing the velocity of a reaction are, in general, the concentration of the reacting substances, the temperature, the pressure, the solvent, catalytic agents, and the homogenity or heterogenity of the system. Of these, the factors that need to be considered in this work are: (a) Concentration of reacting substances (b) Temperature (c) Solvent (d) Catalytic agents. The influence of concentration on the velocity of reaction is best stated by the law of mass action; the velocity