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1. Title of Proposed Research

Study of Characteristic of Palm Oil as Transformer Liquid Insulation

2. Background of the Research

Malaysia is currently the worlds second largest producer and exporter of palm oil. The
plantation sector dates back to 1896, with the start of the rubber industry. Oil palm
cultivation began in 1917, but growth was initially very slow. It was only during the last
50 years that plantation development was accelerated through large-scale investments in
the cultivation of the oil palm as one of the approved crops for diversifying the countries
agricultural development.
Transformers form an important part of an electrical network. Without them,
utility companies would not be able to transmit and distribute electricity generated at
remote power stations. Over time transformer failure can be costly not only to the utility
or owner of the transformer but the consumer as well. Oil is used as an insulator and
coolant in transformers and by monitoring its condition the transformers overall health
is determined. Electromagnetic devices like transformers heat up during operation
because of resistive losses in their electrical and magnetic components. The rejection of
heat is critical, since excessive temperatures can damage insulation, leading to failures.
Cooling capability ultimately determines the amount of power that can be reliably
handled by a transformer. As a result, transformers are designed to maximize heat
rejection, and this often means bulky and expensive designs.
Transformer and even other electrical equipment generate heat during operation,
therefore a coolant is necessary to dissipate this heat. The insulating oil fills up pores in
fibrous insulation and also the gaps between the coil conductors and the spacing between
the windings and the tank, and thus increases the dielectric strength of the insulation.
Transformer in operation generates heat in the winding, and that heat is transferred to the
oil. Heated oil then flows to the radiators by convection. Oil supplied from the radiators,
being relatively cool, cools the winding. There are several important properties, such as
dielectric strength, flash point, viscosity, specific gravity and pour point, to be
considered when specifying certain oil as transformer oil. The quality of the oil is very
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important. At high voltages, highly loaded transformers demand better quality oils.
While at low voltages, lightly loaded transformers, the demand for high quality oils is
not critical.
During the last century, power transformers have generally been filled with
mineral oil, which has good compatibility with the cellulosic insulating paper; good
physical and electrical properties, not only as a cooling fluid but also as an insulator, and
suitable properties such as good electrical are quenching and mainly availability, low
cost and long history. Today esters are being used in transformers, mainly for safety
reason, because they have higher flashpoints and fire points compared with minerals
oils, and for environmental reasons, because they are more biodegradable than the
mineral oils, particularly the natural esters.
This research proposes a new method in transformer oil where the ageing aspects
of palm oil in the presence of air, moisture and metallic substances available inside the
transformer. In 2012, Malaysia, the world's second largest producer of palm oil produced
18.79 million tonnes of crude palm oil. Palm oil is an alternative choice for power
transformer liquid insulation. This research will present ageing aspects of palm oil in
comparison to that of transformer oil.

3. Problem Statement

The population of power transformers is growing older. Power transformers are

usually very reliable, with a 20-35 year design life. In practice, the life of a transformer
can be as long as 60 years with appropriate maintenance. As transformers age, their
internal condition degrades, which increases the risk of failure.
There is a constant need for manufacturers to improve the characteristics of
power transformer since these are expensive yet form strategic parts of the electric
power systems. Any failure of such components can result in significant economic
losses. To minimize the need for investments and costly maintenance, and to plan
rationally for the future, it is essential to understand and quantify the aging kinetics. To
improve the reliability of power transformer, special focus has been given on insulating
materials, especially insulating oils.
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Mineral oil is widely used as transformer liquid insulation due to its availability
and low cost. However, due to the toxic and hazard nature, attention has been paid to use
other types of alternative environment friendly oils such as vegetable, soya bean,
sunflower, etc.
In addition, mineral oils generate poisonous substances due to oxidative
instability. The disposal and clearance after equipment failure or leakages is very
difficult exercise. This is so, because of the need to comply environmental and safety
regulations of authorities. Conventional mineral oils in transformer oils can pose threat
to environment if spilled. Silicon has a very high flash point (low flammability) and it is
generally used in places where safety is highly desired. It is the most expensive oil and it
is also non biodegradable.

4. Aims and Objectives of the Research

i) To propose new transformer oil- aging effect of palm oil as transformer liquid
insulation and compare with mineral oil.
ii) To evaluate the samples of palm oil and mineral oil with different aging time and
temperature.
iii) To observe the change of color of palm oil and mineral oil at significant
reduction of oil using standard color chart of transformer oil.
iv) To measure the chemical tests include measurements of moisture content,
interfacial tension (IFT) and the acidity number.
v) To measure the electrical tests include breakdown voltage and frequency
dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) measurements.

5. Research Methodology

(a) Description of Methodology

Initially, this research will propose new transformer oil where the ageing aspects of palm
oil in the presence of air, moisture and metallic substances available inside the
transformer. The test sample of palm oil and mineral oil were sealed and unsealed to see
the different of aging time and temperature. In addition, different metal substances were
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added to each sample to stimulate the catalytic effect of winding, core and transformer
tank to the ageing of oil. Later, the sample will check for any reduction of oil level and
the color of sample were record. Then, chemical tests include measurements of moisture
content, interfacial tension (IFT) and the acidity number will measure. The breakdown
voltage and frequency dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) such as loss tangent, permittivity,
conductivity and activation energy will calculate.

(b) Flow Chart of Research Activities (Refer Appendix)

(c) Gantt Chart of Research Activities (Refer Appendix)
(d) Milestones and Dates (Refer Appendix)

6. Expected Significant Contribution to New Knowledge and Applied Value of

Outcome Research

(a) Novel theories/New Findings/Knowledge

Thoroughly understanding the characteristic of palm oil as a new
insulation material in liquid transformer.
New formulation to reduced environmental impact, so no hazardous
chemicals would have to be cleaned up and they have less toxicity to
living organisms.

(b) Research Publication

3 journals, at least, publication in high impact
5 conference papers

Flow Chart of Research Activities

a) Research Flowchart
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Palm oil and mineral oil samples

Seal samples Unseal samples

Add-on each samples different metal substances

(copper, aluminum, iron and zinc)

Aged inside drying oven

Visual Inspection Chemical Testing

(moisture content, interfacial tension (IFT)
(Color)

Electrical Testing
(Breakdown voltage, Frequency dielectric spectroscopy (FDS

b) Experimental Setup and Methodology

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Electrical testing
Breakdown voltage and Frequency dielectric Spectroscopy (FDS)
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APPENDIX: Gantt chart of Research Activities, Milestone and Submission

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10. References

[1] R. L. C. a. M. Z. Lijun Yang, "Influence of Vegetable Oil on the Thermal Aging of

Transformer Paper and its Mechanism," IEEE Transaction on Dielectrics and
Electrical Insulation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 692-700, 2011.
[2] W. H. L. a. T. J. P. Lars E.Lundgaard, "Aging of Oil-Impregnated Paper in Power
Transformer," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 230-238,
2004.
[3] M. B. F. B.S.H.M.S.Y. Matharage, "Aging Effect of Coconut Oil as Transformer
Liquid Insulation-Comparison with Mineral Oil," 2012.
[4] X. Y. a. J. H. J. V. H. J. N. Zhongdong Wang, "Fault Gas Generation in Natural-Ester
Fluid Under Localizad Thermal Faults," Feature Article, pp. 45-56,
November/Disember 2012.
[5] G. C. K. a. M. F. D. Hinduja, "Laboratory Investigation of Treated Coconut Oil as
Transformer Liquid Insulation," in International Conference on Industrial and
Information Systems, Sri Lanka, 2011.
[6] Z. Z. a. P. Z. S. G. a. M. Z. Jian Li, "Preparation of a Vegetable Oil-Based Nanofluid
and Investigation of its Breakdown and Dielectric Properties," Feature Article, pp.
43-50, September/October 2012.
[7] Y. R. S. a. P. V. Jashandeep Singh, "The Influence of Serving Aging on Transformer
Insulating Oil Parameters," IEEE Transaction on Dielectric and Electrical
Insulation, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 421-426, 2012.
[8] U. U. A. R. Y. a. A. N. S M Bashi, "Use of Natural Vegetable Oils as Alternative,"
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 4-9, 2006.
[9] Y. Basiron, "Palm Oil Production Through Sustainable Plantations," Wiley
Interscience, p. 289295, 2007.