Abstract
Long-term transformer oil usage deteriorates the thermal and dielectric properties of the oil. The main aim of our work is to find a suitable replacement for mineral oil with superior characteristics. Titanium Oxide (TiO2), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), and Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Nano Particles (NPs) are used inside the virgin mineral oil to form Nano Fluids (NFs). NFs are subjected to accelerated multi-aging (thermal and electrical) for 1000 hours. The special aging chamber is designed to apply electrical and thermal stresses to the oil under consideration. Thermal and dielectric characteristics of the NFs are determined using breakdown voltage, water content, tan delta, flash point, viscosity, and pour point tests. The aforementioned tests are conducted before and after the accelerated aging of the samples. Thermal and dielectric characteristics of ZnO based NFs are found superior to other NPs. ZnO NPs show the highest breakdown voltage and minimum values of water content, tan delta, pour point, and viscosity. The highest value of flash point confirmed the superiority of ZnO NF over other NFs even after accelerated multi-aging. Therefore, the experimental analysis concluded that ZnO based NFs possess remarkably good thermal and dielectric properties as a replacement of mineral oil in the transformer operation.
Highlights
Future development of High Voltage (HV) systems and smart grid revolution demanded a reliable and efficient insulating material with volatile and dynamic operating conditions [1]
Results revealed that the AC breakdown strength of Nano Fluids (NFs) was almost 1.26 times the base oil breakdown strength, while lightning breakdown voltage increased by almost 24% to that of base oil [4]
Among the three NFs, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and TiO2 exhibit superior characteristics, but conductive Nano Particles (NPs) have the drawback of agglomeration
Summary
Future development of High Voltage (HV) systems and smart grid revolution demanded a reliable and efficient insulating material with volatile and dynamic operating conditions [1]. The transformer used in the electrical system transforms voltage, current, and transfer energy; a potential failure of the transformer is destructive [2]. Most of the transformers in the power system (currently in use) are closer to or beyond the classical structure. The available statistics of transformer failure reveals that the average transformer’s operation failed due to insulation breakdown in ‘17.8’years [3]. The ability of a transformer to conduct heat describes its thermal conductivity. Mineral oil used in the transformer performs the primary function of insulation and heat transfer. Thermal conductivity is an important parameter considered in improving the heat
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