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Eco-Friendly Ester Fluid for Power Transformers versus Mineral Oil: Design Considerations

Author

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  • Teresa Nogueira

    (School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P. Porto), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
    Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology (CIETI), P. Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal)

  • José Carvalho

    (School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P. Porto), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
    Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology (CIETI), P. Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal)

  • José Magano

    (Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal
    Higher Institute of Business and Tourism Sciences (ISCET), 4050-180 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Mineral oil has long been used as an adequate coolant and dielectric medium in power transformer design. However, it is flammable and environmentally risky as it may be leaked or spilled. Therefore, ester fluids, which have been increasingly used in the last two decades, look promising as an ideal dielectric option. This research aims to better understand how using ester fluid insulation in power transformers impacts their physical and electrical dimensions, including their load-losses, impedance, masses, and equipment dimensions. Three case studies were carried out in a Portuguese electrical equipment manufacturer’s facility, with varying electrical parameters and physical properties of the mineral oil and ester-filled power transformers. The main results enhanced the known good electrical behavior of ester fluids, namely creating a lower electric field around winding wedges, yet the use of ester fluids led to higher load-losses, larger masses, additional radiators and, consequently, higher manufacturing costs. Nevertheless, the contribution of ester-filled power transformers to the improved environmental safety (reducing spillage and fire risks), among other advantages, makes ester fluids a truly eco-friendly option for power transformer design.

Suggested Citation

  • Teresa Nogueira & José Carvalho & José Magano, 2022. "Eco-Friendly Ester Fluid for Power Transformers versus Mineral Oil: Design Considerations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5418-:d:872783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Belén García & Alfredo Ortiz & Carlos Renedo & Diego Fernando García & Andrés Montero, 2021. "Use Performance and Management of Biodegradable Fluids as Transformer Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Shen, Zijia & Wang, Feipeng & Wang, Zhiqing & Li, Jian, 2021. "A critical review of plant-based insulating fluids for transformer: 30-year development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    3. Cláudia Sousa Silva & José Magano & Ana Matos & Teresa Nogueira, 2021. "Sustainable Quality Management Systems in the Current Paradigm: The Role of Leadership," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Pawel Rozga & Abderrahmane Beroual & Piotr Przybylek & Maciej Jaroszewski & Konrad Strzelecki, 2020. "A Review on Synthetic Ester Liquids for Transformer Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-33, December.
    5. Bojan Trkulja & Ana Drandić & Viktor Milardić & Igor Žiger, 2021. "Evaluation of Methodology for Lightning Impulse Voltage Distribution over High-Voltage Windings of Inductive Voltage Transformers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    6. Xiaobo Wang & Chao Tang & Bo Huang & Jian Hao & George Chen, 2018. "Review of Research Progress on the Electrical Properties and Modification of Mineral Insulating Oils Used in Power Transformers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-31, February.
    7. Peter Havran & Roman Cimbala & Juraj Kurimský & Bystrík Dolník & Iraida Kolcunová & Dušan Medveď & Jozef Király & Vladimír Kohan & Ľuboš Šárpataky, 2022. "Dielectric Properties of Electrical Insulating Liquids for High Voltage Electric Devices in a Time-Varying Electric Field," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, January.
    8. Tobias Münster & Peter Werle & Kai Hämel & Jörg Preusel, 2021. "Thermally Accelerated Aging of Insulation Paper for Transformers with Different Insulating Liquids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-28, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Piotr Przybylek, 2023. "Determination of Mineral Oil Concentration in the Mixture with Synthetic Ester Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-12, September.
    2. J. Sanz & C. J. Renedo & A. Ortiz & P. J. Quintanilla & F. Ortiz & D. F. García, 2023. "A Brief Review of the Impregnation Process with Dielectric Fluids of Cellulosic Materials Used in Electric Power Transformers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-24, April.

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