Exploitation of Ekoli Edda clay for 33KVA porcelain insulator production

Abstract

Exploitation of Ekoli Edda clay to devise 33KVA porcelain insulator was done to ascertain the appropriateness of available local raw materials for porcelain insulators production. Ekoli Edda clay was used to formulate eleven samples (A to K) with other materials after characterization and formed using jigger jolleying machine. The properties scrutinized after sintering at 14000C signified that samples A - K had linear shrinkage ranging 7.5% to 2.5% with compressive strength ranging 21.14MPa to 30.84MPa respectively. The study uncovered that samples A - K as declared above had water absorption ranging from 3.06% - 1.21% with matching values of 1.092% - 0.011% succeeding glazing respectively. The apparent porosity indicated that samples A - K had 3.10% - 1.29% with resultant values of 1.331% - 0.031% after glazing, while bulk density result confirmed that samples A - K had 1.94g/cm3 - 3.03g/cm3. Flash over voltage results exposed that samples A - K had 30 KVA - 37 KVA with matching thermal stress resistance result ranging from 20 - 8 numbers of cycles correspondingly. It was discovered that the higher the percentage of Ekoli Edda clay in the recipe of the porcelain insulators, the higher the linear shrinkage, porosity, thermal stress resistance and water absorption while the lower the compressive strength, bulk density and flash over voltage of the porcelain insulators. On the other hand, sample K endow with the most encouraging result when reflecting on the properties affirmed above. Consequently, sample K is recommended for mass production of 33KVA porcelain insulator. It was noted that with 100% local raw materials, 33KVA porcelain insulator of global standard can be produced locally. Hence, exploitation of the local content for mass production of the porcelain insulators will not only lessen the cost or stop their importation, but it will also create employment opportunity, enhance and broaden the wealth of the nation.