Use Performance and Management of Biodegradable Fluids as Transformer Insulation

Belén García, Alfredo Ortiz, Carlos Renedo, Diego Fernando García and Andrés Montero
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Belén García: Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Madrid, Spain
Alfredo Ortiz: Electrical and Energy Engineering Department, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Carlos Renedo: Electrical and Energy Engineering Department, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Diego Fernando García: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad del Valle, 760032 Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Andrés Montero: Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Madrid, Spain

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: In recent years, the use of biodegradable fluids as liquid insulation for distribution and power transformers is spreading. The main biodegradable fluids used are natural and synthetic esters, although biodegradable hydrocarbons have been recently proposed. Biodegradable fluids have a much lower environmental impact than mineral oil, limiting the risk of soil contamination in leaks, which makes them a suitable solution for applications such as offshore transformers or railway transformers. Additionally, these fluids have a higher flash point than conventional mineral oils, which dramatically reduces the risk of fire and collateral damage derived from explosion and fire. Despite these advantageous factors, there are still some aspects that hinder the broadening of their use, such as the difference in thermal properties or the lack of accepted maintenance procedures for transformers that use them as liquid insulation. This paper presents the current status of biodegradable insulating fluids, analyzing some of their properties and discussing the aspects that are still to be investigated in order to make them a real alternative to petroleum-based fluids.

Keywords: power transformer; distribution transformer; natural esters; synthetic esters; biodegradable liquids (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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