Natural Esters for Green Transformers: Challenges and Keys for Improved Serviceability

Samson Okikiola Oparanti, Ungarala Mohan Rao and Issouf Fofana ()
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Samson Okikiola Oparanti: Research Chair on the Aging of Power Network Infrastructure (ViAHT), University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC), Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada
Ungarala Mohan Rao: Research Chair on the Aging of Power Network Infrastructure (ViAHT), University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC), Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada
Issouf Fofana: Research Chair on the Aging of Power Network Infrastructure (ViAHT), University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC), Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, Canada

Energies, 2022, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: The service of mineral insulating oils for power transformer insulation and cooling aspects cannot be disavowed. However, the continued use of mineral oils is questionable due to environmental unfriendliness and the divestment from fossil fuels. This has provoked the quest for green alternative insulating liquids for high-voltage insulation. Natural esters are among the remaining alternatives that are renewable and environmentally friendly. Regardless of their environmental and technical merits, natural esters have some limitations that are slowing down their total acceptance by transformer owners and utilities. Critical limitations and concerns include esters’ pour point, viscosity, oxidative stability, and ionization resistance. In this work, the state of the art of “natural esters for transformers” is explored with the aim of potential improvements. The sections of the article are geared towards technical viewpoints on improving the overall workability and serviceability of natural esters in high-voltage applications. A comprehensive review of the existing literature is achieved, based on performance improvements of the natural ester using “additives” and “chemical modification”. The authors hope that this report may be helpful to transformer owners as well as influence the progression of natural esters for power transformer applications.

Keywords: green transformers; natural esters; additives and chemical modifications (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
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