Thermal and Dielectric Properties of Processed Mahuva Oil

Abstract

At present mineral insulating oil is widely used in transformers and electrical equipment to act as a coolant to dissipate the heat. This liquid also serves as the insulating material between the primary and secondary windings. After prolonged use, these oils deteriorate and become highly acidic and develop sludge. Thus they need to be replaced periodically. Although the used oils are recycled for alternative use, disposal of sludge is still a major problem. Careless handling or disposal of the waste mineral insulating oil leads to soil and water contamination and poses a grave environmental hazard. To overcome these problems, studies on the use of vegetable oils as insulating oil is explored. In this regard, most of the researchers have worked on vegetable oils from rape seeds, sunflower, corn, soybeans, cottonseed, Pongamia seeds etc. However, the search for new seed source is essential to meet the large requirements of insulating oil. This paper presents experiments that have been carried out on Mahuva oil seeds as a source of sustainable and environment-friendly insulating oil. The performance of crude Mahuva oil is analyzed for the acceptable limits according to IEC 62770-2013 standards. Results indicate that properties, like appearance, density, viscosity, water content, AC-breakdown voltage, flash and fire point are within accepTable LIMITS. Pour point acidity and dissipation factor are, however beyond acceptable limits. transesterification process shows the reduction in acidity, dissipation factor, density, kinematic viscosity, flash and fire point. the alkali neutralized oil reduces only acidity and dissipation factor. the pour point value was reduced by the winterization process. results indicate that mahuva oil has good potential to be used as an alternate source of vegetable oil for liquid insulation..