Abstract
Nanotechnology provides an effective way to upgrade the thermophysical characteristics of dielectric oils and creates optimal transformer design. The properties of insulation materials have a significant effect on the optimal transformer design. Ester-based nanofluids (NF) are introduced as an energy-efficient alternative to conventional mineral oils, prepared by dispersing nanoparticles in the base oil. This study presents the effect of nanoparticles on the thermophysical properties of pure natural ester (NE) and synthetic ester (SE) oils with temperature varied from ambient temperature up to 80 °C. A range of concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) and TiO2 nanoparticles were used in the study to upgrade the thermophysical properties of ester-based oils. The experiments for thermal conductivity and viscosity were performed using a TC-4 apparatus that follows Debby’s concept and a redwood viscometer apparatus that follows the ASTM-D445 experimental standard, respectively. The experimental results show that nanoparticles have a positive effect on the thermal conductivity and viscosity of oils which reduces with an increase in temperature.
Highlights
Mineral oil is traditionally used in transformers as an insulating liquid due to its excellent dielectric and heat transfer capabilities, but its operation under excessive surrounding temperatures may lead to fire explosions which are hazardous to the environment [1]
The dielectric mineral oil plays the dual role of insulation as well as heat dissipation in power transformers that are operated at high voltages [3]
These losses are transformed into heat, which results in the dissipation of heat in the transformer tank and eventually in the increase of the temperature of insulating oil [6,7]
Summary
Mineral oil is traditionally used in transformers as an insulating liquid due to its excellent dielectric and heat transfer capabilities, but its operation under excessive surrounding temperatures may lead to fire explosions which are hazardous to the environment [1]. The efficient and proper working of transformers depends upon the dielectric strength and cooling functionalities of the insulating oil used [2]. The dielectric mineral oil plays the dual role of insulation as well as heat dissipation in power transformers that are operated at high voltages [3]. To analyze and improve the thermal performance of transformers, thermophysical properties such as thermal conductivity and viscosity are important to study the heat transfer characteristics and cooling functionalities of insulating oils used in transformers. The main source of heat generation in oil-immersed transformers is the loss occurring in the core and the windings. The application of nanofluids to improve transformers’ cooling systems is under investigation to create optimal transformer design by improving the cooling capacity of conventional oils [8]
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