Titania Nanofluids Based on Natural Ester: Cooling and Insulation Properties Assessment

Dielectric Strength of Nanofluid-Impregnated Transformer Solid Insulation

The interest in developing new fluids that can be used as dielectric liquids for transformers has driven the research on dielectric nanofluids in the last years. A number of authors have reported promising results on the electrical and thermal properties of dielectric nanofluids. Less attention has been paid to the interaction of these fluids with the cellulose materials that constitute the solid insulation of the transformers. In the present study, the dielectric strength of cellulose insulation is investigated, comparing its behavior when it is impregnated with transformer mineral oil and when it is impregnated with a dielectric nanofluid. The study includes the analysis of the AC breakdown voltage and the impulse breakdown voltage of the samples. Large improvements were observed on the AC breakdown voltages of the specimens impregnated with nanofluids, while the enhancements were lower in the case of the impulse tests. The reasons for the increase in AC breakdown voltage were investigated, considering the dielectric properties of the nanofluids used to impregnate the samples of cellulose. The analysis was completed with a finite element study that revealed the effect of the nanoparticles on the electric field distribution within the test cell, and its role in the observed enhancement.

Mineral and Ester Nanofluids as Dielectric Cooling Liquid for Power Transformers

Amidst the new techniques facing the improvement of cooling and insulating efficiency and the design of electric transformers, constrained by the current technologies, one of the more promising is the substitution of traditional dielectric oils for nanofluids. Research on nanofluids for their application in transformers as a coolant and dielectric medium have been performed during the last two decades and continue today. This review tries to collect and analyze the available information in this field and to offer it already dissected to researchers, focusing on the preparation methods and how nanoparticles affect the main properties of the base fluids. Here we also addressed the influence of different parameters as particle characteristics or environmental conditions in nanofluids performance, the evolution with time of the measured properties, or the neighboring relationship of nanofluids with other transformer components. In this sense, the most reviewed articles reflect enhancements of thermal conductivity or dielectric strength, as well as an improvement of time evolution of these properties, with respect to those that are found in base fluids, and, also, a better interaction between these nanofluids and dielectric cellulosics. Thus, the use of dielectric nanofluids in transformers may allow these machines to work safer or over their design parameters, reducing the risk of failure of the electrical networks and enhancing their life expectancy. Nevertheless, these advantages will not be useful unless a proper stability of nanofluids is ensured, which is achieved in a small part of revised articles. A compendium of the preparation methodology with this aim is proposed, to be checked in future works.

Effect of Conducting, Semi-Conducting and Insulating Nanoparticles on AC Breakdown Voltage and Partial Discharge Activity of Synthetic Ester: A Statistical Analysis

This paper is aimed at studying the influence of conducting (Fe3O4), semi-conductive (ZnO), and insulating (ZrO2, SiO2, and Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) at various concentrations on the AC dielectric strength of MIDEL 7131 synthetic ester (SE) and partial discharges activity. First, a detailed and improved procedure for preparing nanofluids (NFs) in five concentrations ranging from 0.1 g/L to 0.5 g/L is presented, including high-speed agitation and ultrasonication. Then, the long-term stability is checked based on zeta potential analysis. After preparing and characterizing the NF samples, the following step is to measure their AC breakdown voltage (BDV). Due to the limitation of the high voltage supply (Baur system), the tests are performed according to IEC 60156 standard (2.5 mm gap distance) only with ZnO, ZrO2, and SiO2 NPs, and for comparison, tests are executed for all considered NPs with an electrodes gap of 2 mm. It is shown that the addition of Fe3O4 (20 nm), ZnO (25 nm), ZrO2 (20-30 nm), SiO2 (10-20 nm), Al2O3 (20-30 nm), and Al2O3 (50 nm) NPs improves the dielectric strength of synthetic ester upon an optimal concentration which gives the highest AC BDV. SiO2 (10-20 nm) and Al2O3 (20-30 nm) manifest their best improvement at 0.3 g/L, while for the other NFs, the best improvement is observed at 0.4 g/L. Further, the Anderson-Darling goodness-of-fit test is performed on the experimental data to check their conformity with the Extreme value (EV), normal, and Weibull distributions; the normal and EV fit curves are plotted and used to evaluate the breakdown voltages at probabilities of 1%, 10%, and 50%. It is shown that the AC breakdown voltage outcomes for most investigated nanofluids mostly obey the three EV, normal, and Weibull distributions. Then, the best combinations (nature of NP and optimal concentration), namely Fe3O4 (20 nm, 0.4 g/L), Al2O3 (20-30 nm, 0.3 g/L), and Al2O3 (50 nm, 0.4 g/L) NPs, that highly enhance the AC BDV of SE are chosen for a partial discharge activity investigation and comparison with pure SE. It is shown that the addition of those NPs significantly reduces the activity of partial discharges compared to pure SE.

Streaming Electrification of C60 Fullerene Doped Insulating Liquids for Power Transformers Applications

Long-term and fault-free operation of power transformers depends on the electrical strength of the insulation system and effective heat dissipation. Forced circulation of the insulating liquid is used to increase the cooling capacity. A negative effect of such a solution is the creation of the phenomenon of streaming electrification, which in unfavorable conditions may lead to damage to the insulating system of the transformer. This paper presents results of research confirming the possibility of using fullerene C60 to reduce the phenomenon of streaming electrification generated by the flow of liquid dielectrics. The volume charge density qw was used as a material indicator to determine the electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) of nanofluids. This parameter was determined from the Abedian-Sonin electrification model on the basis of electrification current measurements and selected physicochemical and electrical properties of the liquid. The electrification current was measured in a flow system with an aluminum pipe of 4 mm diameter and 400 mm length. All measurements were carried out at a temperature of 20 °C. The influence of flow velocity (from 0.34 m/s to 1.75 m/s) and C60 concentration (25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L and 350 mg/L) was analyzed on the electrification of fresh and aged Trafo En mineral oil, as well as Midel 1204 natural ester and Midel 7131 synthetic ester. The density, kinematic viscosity, dielectric constant, and conductivity were also determined. A negative effect of the C60 doping on the electrostatic properties of fresh mineral oil was demonstrated. For other liquids, fullerene C60 can be used as an inhibitor of the streaming electrification process. Based on the analysis of the qw parameter, the optimum concentration of C60 (from 100 mg/L to 200 mg/L) resulting in the highest reduction of the electrification phenomenon in nanofluids was identified.

Breakdown Performance and Partial Discharge Development in Transformer Oil-Based Metal Carbide Nanofluids

In this work, the influence of semi-conductive SiC nanoparticles on the AC breakdown voltage and partial discharge development in natural ester oil FR3 is examined. Primarily, the dielectric constant and the electrical conductivity of the nanoparticles are measured following the broadband dielectric spectroscopy technique. The nanoparticles are added into the matrix following the ultrasonication process in three weight percentage ratios in order for their effect to be evaluated as a function of their concentration inside the base oil. The processing of the results reveals that the nanofluid containing SiC nanoparticles at 0.004% w/w demonstrates the highest AC dielectric strength improvement and shows the greatest resistance to the appearance of partial discharge activity. The mechanisms behind the aforementioned results are discussed in detail and confirmed by the broadband dielectric spectroscopy technique, which reveals that this particular nanofluid sample is characterized by lower dielectric constant and electrical conductivity than the one with double the weight percentage ratio.

Dielectric Fluids for Power Transformers with Special Emphasis on Biodegradable Nanofluids

This review is focused on the research of dielectric fluids, especially commonly used power transformer oils enhanced by nanoparticles, i.e., nanofluids. There are differences between various combinations of base fluids and nanoparticles prepared in different ways. The main goal of this review was to present recent research in this field sorted by the used nanoparticles. Nanofluids based on mineral oils, natural, or synthetic esters were investigated in terms of the nature of nanoparticles, particularly Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, graphene, fullerene, and others. The combinations of environmentally friendly oils and nanoparticles were presented. Finally, the article focused on the description of current dielectric fluids usable in power transformers and the possibilities of improving new and existing fluids with nanoparticles, especially their physical, dielectric, and chemical properties, but with regard to environmental aspects.

Investigation on heat transfer characteristics of nano titania added transformer oil with hotspot temperature

The heat transfer characteristics of nanofluid produced by mixing nano titania with transformer oil, facilitated by addition of surfactants are analyzed. A 2D model is used to analyze the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of nano fluid for understanding the formation of hot spots in the chamber filled with nanofluid. Governing equations for conservation of mass, momentum and energy for capturing the above characteristics are described. The temperature along the vertical mid line from the hot spot are measured experimentally and compared with simulation results. Temperature distribution obtained for nanofluid and transformer oil under both steady and transient state has revealed high rate of heat dissipation in nanofluid. Streamlines have shown the presence of press board affects flow in the bulk of the cavity. Nusselt number estimated across the edges of the hot spot has shown higher convective heat transfer in nanofluid.

Effect of TiO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles on the Performance of Dielectric Nanofluids Based on Vegetable Esters During Their Aging

Over the last few decades the insulating performance of transformer oils has been broadly studied under the point of view of nanotechnology, which tries to improve the insulating and heat dissipation performance of transformer oils by suspending nanoparticles. Many authors have analyzed the thermal and dielectric behavior of vegetable oil based-nanofluids, however, very few works have studied the evolution of these liquids during thermal aging and their stability. In this paper has been evaluated the performance of aged vegetable oil based-nanofluids, which have been subjected to accelerated thermal aging at 150 °C. Nanoparticles of TiO2 and ZnO have been dispersed in a commercial natural ester. Breakdown voltage, resistivity, dissipation factor and acidity of nanofluid samples have been measured according to standard methods, as well as stability. Moreover, it has been analyzed the degradation of Kraft paper through the degree of polymerization (DP). The results have showed that although nanoparticles improve breakdown voltage, they increase the ageing of insulation liquids and dielectric paper.

Titania Nanofluids Based on Natural Ester: Cooling and Insulation Properties Assessment

The assessment of a TiO2 vegetal-based dielectric nanofluid has been carried out, and its characteristics and behavior have been tested and compared with a previously tested maghemite nanofluid. The results obtained reflect a similar affectation of the main properties, with a maximal improvement of the breakdown voltage of 33% at 0.5 kg/m3, keeping the thermal conductivity and the viscosity almost constant, especially the first one. This thermal characterization agrees with the results obtained when applying the TiO2 optimal nanofluid in the cooling of an experimental setup, with a slightly worse performance than the base fluid. Nevertheless, this performance is the opposite to that noticed with the ferrofluid, which was capable of improving the cooling of the transformer and decreasing its temperature. The similarities between the characterizations of both nanofluids, the differences in their cooling performances and their different magnetic natures seem to point out the presence of additional thermomagnetic buoyancy forces to support the improvement of the cooling.