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

Teresa Nogueira, José Carvalho and José Magano
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Teresa Nogueira: School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P. Porto), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
José Carvalho: School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P. Porto), 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
José Magano: Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-18

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.

Keywords: power transformer design; mineral oil; insulation fluid; ester-filled transformer; electric field; environmental impacts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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