review · IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation
Vegetable oils present a viable, biodegradable alternative to traditional petroleum-based mineral oils used in electrical transformers. Because conventional mineral oils rely on finite petroleum resources and carry negative environmental impacts, plant-derived natural esters offer a more sustainable option. These natural esters consist of triglycerides of fatty acids, are widely available in many nations, and are more cost-effective than synthetic alternatives. Adding nanoparticles to natural esters creates dielectric nanofluids, which can address the limitations of vegetable oils and enhance their overall performance. A synthesis of recent experimental research covers the preparation techniques, stability assessments, and thermal characteristics of these natural ester-based nanofluids, alongside the underlying physical mechanisms that dictate their behaviour in dielectric applications.
Traditional transformer oils depend on declining petroleum reserves and pose environmental hazards. Replacing them with plant-based natural esters enhanced with nanoadditives offers a renewable, biodegradable, and economical solution for electrical insulation. Improving the thermal properties and operational stability of these green fluids can support cleaner and more sustainable energy infrastructure.
This work informs electrical equipment manufacturers and power grid operators seeking biodegradable alternatives to standard transformer oils. By exploring natural ester-based nanofluids, the research targets cooling and insulation applications in power transformers. However, as a literature review examining preparation methods and physical mechanisms, the findings reflect early-stage to intermediate laboratory research rather than an immediately deployable commercial product.
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Numerous experimental investigations were carried out by several researchers exploring vegetable oils as substitutes for transformer oil since these vegetable oils are biodegradable. Also, their usage may reduce the negative environmental impact of other traditional oils. Additionally, since today’s mineral oils are made from petroleum-based materials, they will ultimately run out in the near future. Vegetable oils might, therefore, be a contender to take the place of mineral oils in transformer applications. Vegetable oils are natural esters and are triglycerides of fatty acids that can be extracted from a wide variety of plants. Natural esters are more cost-effective than synthetic esters, and they are also abundant in many countries. This article provides a comprehensive review of natural ester-based nanofluids (NFs). First, the necessity, benefits, and drawbacks of natural esters are all discussed. Methods used to improve the effectiveness of natural esters and overcome their disadvantages are presented. Then, the concept of NFs is introduced, and recent experimental research on dielectric NFs is reviewed in detail, including preparation methodology, stability inspection, and thermal properties. Finally, all physical mechanisms behind the obtained results are discussed and clarified.
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DOI: 10.1109/tdei.2023.3274089
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