Oil Dielectric Properties

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Breneman, Chris" <brenemanc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hello,

I was once again considering possible unique methods of homemade tank 
capacitor construction, and came up with this idea:
In a jar, or some other kind of uniform container with an open top, 
place a plate of metal at the bottom.  Glue the plate of fasten it to 
the bottom by some means.  Then add a layer of salt to the desired 
dielectric thickness.  Then add another metal plate cut so that the 
lead is on the opposite side of the container (of course the leads on 
alternating plates alternate) and glue or fasten it to the side of 
the container.  Then repeat with the salt and plates until the 
container is filled.  Metal plates should have some kind of opening 
in them, either a drilled hole or a space left for the opposite leads 
on the sides of the container.  After this is done, the plates should 
be stationary and fixed to the sides of the container.  The salt 
could be poured out or dissolved with water, and the container could 
be filled with a liquid dielectric, such as oil.  Such a capacitor 
would be self-healing, always a useful trait.
Anyway, I was wondering what the dielectric properties of various 
kinds of oil are at high frequencies to determine whether a capacitor 
constructed in such a way would be feasible for Tesla coil 
use.  Also, if anyone sees any general design problems with this, 
suggestions are of course welcome.

Thanks,
Chris