Vegetable oil based liquid nanocomposite dielectric

Authors

  • Leon Chetty HVDC Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
  • Isaac W. Serukenya HVDC Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
  • Nelson M. Ijumba HVDC Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/1274

Keywords:

power transformer, vegetable insulating oil, nanodielectrics, liquid nanocomposite dielectric, silica aerogel powder

Abstract

Physically smaller dielectric materials would improve the optimisation of space for power systems. Development of nanotechnology provides an effective way to improve the performances of insulating oils used in power system applications. In this research study, we focused on the development of nanomodified vegetable oils to be used in power transformers. Higher conduction currents were observed in virgin linseed oil than in virgin castor oil. However, for both virgin linseed and virgin castor oil, the DC conduction current increased approximately linearly with the applied DC voltage. In nanomodified linseed oil, the characteristic curve showed two distinct regions: a linear region (at lower applied voltage) and a saturation region (at slightly higher voltage). Conversely, in nanomodified castor oil, the characteristic curve showed three distinct regions: a linear region (at lower applied voltage), a saturation region (at intermediate applied voltage) and an exponential growth region (at higher applied voltage). The nanomodified linseed oil exhibited a better dielectric performance than the nanomodified castor oil. Overall, the addition of nanodielectrics to vegetable oils decreased the dielectric performance of the vegetable oils. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the pre-breakdown phenomenon in liquid nanocomposite dielectrics.

Published

2013-01-28

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Chetty, L., Serukenya, I. W., & Ijumba, N. M. (2013). Vegetable oil based liquid nanocomposite dielectric. South African Journal of Science, 109(1/2), 6. https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/1274
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