Electrical Analysis of Ceiba Pentandra Oil as a Replacement for Mineral Oil in High Voltage Insulation Application

Abstract

The application of Ceiba Pentandra Oil is introduced as an alternative to the traditional non-biodegradable insulation oil. Through the recent research in vegetable based insulation oil (coconut oil, palm oil, and olive oil), it is identified that the vegetable insulation oil is biodegradable but edible in nature, which leads to the food crisis. To prevent the insufficiency of food, an interesting non-edible oil is extracted from the seeds of Ceiba Pentandra, which has the capability of biodegradation. This work has focused on the utilization of Ceiba Pentandra seeds for the production of vegetable based insulation oil since it is considered as the sustainable energy resource and. A two-step chemical conditioning method and antioxidants are used to produce the Processed Ceiba Pentandra oil (PCPO). Adding to that, the insulation behavior of Processed Ceiba Pentandra oil (PCPO) with and without antioxidant is analyzed. The different concentrations of PCPO and naphthalene based Mineral oil mixtures have been compared as per the ASTM standard. The two-step chemical conditioning method has provided the enhanced behavior of physical properties like Viscosity, Acidity, Flashpoint, Fire points and AC breakdown voltage. While improving the oxidation stability, the electrical property like AC Breakdown voltage has met the dielectric Standards. Thus this Processed Ceiba Pentandra oil (PCPO) has the potential to be an alternative of traditional insulation oil.