{"id":1955,"date":"2014-12-29T07:53:41","date_gmt":"2014-12-29T07:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oilregeneration.globecore.com\/?p=1955"},"modified":"2016-06-23T13:37:50","modified_gmt":"2016-06-23T13:37:50","slug":"productive-niche-for-transformer-insulating-oil-in-the-world-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oilregeneration.globecore.com\/productive-niche-for-transformer-insulating-oil-in-the-world-market","title":{"rendered":"Productive Niche for Transformer Insulating Oil in the World Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virtually all existing types of power transformers in worldwide power transmission systems use transformer insulating oils. \u00a0The insulating oils serve to provide liquid dielectric insulation to the core and transfer away excess heat.<\/p>\n

Electric power transformers must function reliably and efficiently for many years. \u00a0\u00a0Preferably without unforeseen disruptions. \u00a0It is therefore, the quality of the \u00a0transformer oil as the transformer\u2019s liquid insulation that plays an important role in helping to maintain the efficient performance of the transformer.<\/p>\n

Many studies of insulating oils have been made to determine the most suitable and effective oil for use in electric power transformers. \u00a0Some of these studies have lasted for decades. \u00a0In this paper, we will examine what is transformer insulating oil and what are its main characteristics that facilitate the continuous production process of transformer equipment for use in the transmission of electric power throughout the world.<\/p>\n

Transformer oil is first and foremost, a dielectric fluid. \u00a0A dielectric fluid is a fluid that does not conduct electricity. \u00a0It is used, as mentioned earlier, mainly in oil-filled electric power transformers as an insulating material and as a coolant.<\/p>\n

Transformer oil is obtained by fractional distillation and subsequent treatment of the crude oil base stocks. \u00a0The main objective of transformer oils is aimed at isolating and cooling the coil and core of the transformer. \u00a0The oil prevents contact between the cellulose insulation and the windings with outside air and oxygen. \u00a0The air and the oxygen contain contaminants that promote rapid oxidation and the formation of harmful deposits that reduce the service life of the transformer.<\/p>\n

The type of transformer insulating oil used in a particular application depends directly on the type and capacity of the electric power equipment. \u00a0In practice there are at least three main types of transformer oils (1) mineral oils (naphthenic and paraffinic); (2) silicone oils; and (3) bio-based oils.<\/p>\n

The use of mineral type transformer oil dominates most industrial plants around the world. \u00a0This can be attributed to the very good dielectric and cooling properties of the mineral oils and because of the cost effectiveness of such oils.<\/p>\n

Naphthenic mineral oils are less resistant to oxidation than paraffin mineral oils. \u00a0However, the oxidation products are usually lighter, so it is less likely that sludge from naphthenic oils will be deposited in the lower part of the transformer.<\/p>\n

When choosing insulating oil for your transformer, you should carefully consider the following performance characteristics of the oils that are available:<\/p>\n

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  1. Electrical – dielectric strength, resistivity, electric damping coefficient<\/li>\n
  2. Chemicals – moisture content, acidity, the presence of water and moisture<\/li>\n
  3. Physical – tension, density, viscosity, flash point and pour point<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Total market revenue for transformer oils is expected to reach $ 2.46 billion by 2017. \u00a0Among the main factors responsible for the growth of the insulating oil market is the growing demand for energy in developing regions, the growth of investment in power grids in developed regions, and the expansion of and increased use of renewable energy sources needing a connection to existing power grids.<\/p>\n

    Key issues in the industry currently include the negative effects of the aggressive nature of the sulfur present in transformer oil and the high flammability of mineral oils for transformers. \u00a0There has been an increase in the number of fires and emergencies associated with the use of mineral oils in transformers. \u00a0The industry therefore, has developed oils that resist degradation, leading to more frequent use of transformer oils that are biological rather than mineral. \u00a0The latter type is non-combustible and non-toxic in nature. \u00a0Manufacturers of transformers have begun using bio-based oil due to the fact that it has a higher dielectric strength, a higher flash point, and a lower pour point than most mineral oils.<\/p>\n

    Oil producers and blenders have been quite active in introducing new kinds of bio oils for the transformer industry. \u00a0A large increase in the use of bio oils has taken place in the North American transformer market. \u00a0This is mainly attributed to the greater availability of biological resources in the USA and Canada.<\/p>\n

    The market share of Bio Oils is expected to further increase as the demand for biological transformer insulating oil is expected to grow considerably in the next five years.<\/p>\n

    In years past, the only correct way to dispose of used industrial oils involved taking the oil to a recycling center. \u00a0The used oil could be recycled and purified using special processing equipment. \u00a0The recycled oil was virtually identical to the characteristics of oil when it was new. \u00a0But, given the high cost of oil processing equipment in the past, it was more profitable to sell the used oil to companies that specialized in the processing of used oil. \u00a0Thus, the electric company was in compliance with environmental laws and regulations and may have been able to offset the cost of the new oil from the sale of the used oil.<\/p>\n

    The value of the used oil product depended on various factors such as type, volume, quality and the distance it needed to be transported.<\/p>\n

    Modern industrial technology offers a range of different methods of recovery and purification of used industrial oil without the need to remove it and transport it to recycling plants. \u00a0This approach to processing used industrial oil has become economically advantageous because it reduces the need to buy new oil and it eliminates the used oil disposal problem.<\/p>\n

    There are several methods for the cleaning and purification of used industrial oils:<\/p>\n