Enhancing the properties of used mineral oil by regeneration process

Abstract

In modern science, we cannot live without electrical energy. The requirement of electrical energy is not ever ending. Along with the evolution in demand for electric power, viable development, environmental issues, and power quality and reliability have become concerned. The necessity of the energy in the world has been predominated by petroleum oil by-products for over hundred years. By electromagnetic induction principle, the transformer is used to transfer electrical energy among two or more circuits. After many years of use there is a need to change the used oil due to degradation of insulation. The used mineral oil moreover recycled or sent to landfill. In this work, an attempt has been made for the regeneration of the used or aged transformer oil by the treatment with the Activated Carbon (AC) which is obtained from the agricultural wastes. These materials are used as an adsorbent. Properties such as Breakdown strength, viscosity, flash point and fire point are investigated as per standards (IEC and ASTM). These properties are enhanced by regeneration process. This work also involves the addition of antioxidants to improve the properties of the used transformer oil. The oxidation process in the transformer oil is reduced by using antioxidants. The result proves that the activated carbon and antioxidants are definitely improving the property of the transformer oil for its reuse purpose. By proceeding this process, we gain more profit by extending the lifetime of the transformer oil.