Investigation of Ageing Characteristics on the AC Breakdown Voltage of
Palm Oil under the Presence of Nanoparticle
S.B.S. Mohamad Bukhari, M.T. Ishak
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
National Defence University of Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract - The investigation on nanoparticles in the
transformer oil has started since last 10 years. It is shown
that conductive nanoparticles can be dispersed in
transformer oils to form nanofluids. These nanofluids can
increase the breakdown voltage of oil under power
frequency and lightning impulses. They are also performed
better in term of inception voltage for partial discharge.
Besides that, the thermal conductivity and cooling
capability of these nanofluids improve significantly.
Vegetable insulation oils based on natural ester oils such as
palm oil are gaining more interest from the researchers due
to they are environmentally friendly and fire resistant. At
the moment, little knowledge is known about the effect of
nanoparticles on natural ester oils especially in term of their
dielectric, breakdown voltage and ageing properties. This
paper presents the study on the AC breakdown voltage for
ageing Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Palm oil
(RBDPO) with the absent of nanoparticles. In this study,
the oils are aged for one month, two months and three
months at the temperature of 95 degree Celsius (C).
Nanoparticle used in this investigation is Carbon Nanotubes
(CNT) which shows good in term heat transfer as well as
voltage breakdown at new oil. CNT is added into palm oil
and mineral oil with three different concentration ratios of
0.001, 0.003 and 0.005 g/L. These sample of oils will be
tested using BAUR DTA 100C with gap of 2.5 mm to
measure their AC breakdown voltage. At the end of this
study, the comparison on voltage breakdown performance
between palm oil and mineral oil will be discussed. Besides
that, dielectric parameters such as dissipation factor,
relative permittivity and resistivity of the nanofluids will
also be evaluated. It is expected the palm oil with CNT
nanoparticle is expected to perform on par or better than
mineral oil with CNT.
Keywords Ageing process, dielectric strength, AC
breakdown voltage, nanoparticles
I. INTRODUCTION
Transformer is an important component in
providing a consistent and efficient supply of electricity
and symbolize the most important equipment in electric
power
transmission and distribution systems[1]. Liquid
insulation had been used in oil-filled electrical equipment
such as
transformer for over hundred years. It provides two main
purposes in operation of the transformer which are as an
insulation material and cooling medium. Oil acts as a
shield for the solid insulation and inhibit the electrical
discharges between the transformer coils or windings.
Another function of oil is to remove the heat generated
inside the transformer during the transformer operation.
Transformer oil forces by natural convection circulate
through transformer winding and carry the heat out of the
transformer through the transformer radiator.
Mineral oills produced from crude petroleum
were is the most widely used as insulating and cooling
liquids in electrical equipment, especially transformer.
This is due to mineral oil has excellent result in dielectric
properties, such as high electric field strength and low
dielectric losses. However, the mineral oil has its own
disadvantages such as low flash point and non-
biodegradable to the environment. Nowadays, Nano-
technology has been well-developed in many sectors
because of its improvement on conventional application
and one of the application is in enhancement of the
insulation system in high voltage equipment.
Recently, great progress has been made in
improving the electrical breakdown strength and heat
transfer of mineral oils by using nanoparticles as the
modifying agent.
In earlier studies that involving mixture of
nanoparticles with mineral oil had been carried out which
mainly focused on the improvement of the thermal
ageing, partial discharge, AC and lightning breakdown
properties. From the studies, it had found that a new kind
of nanoparticle altered mixed with transformer oil has
better insulation properties of insulation compared to
 traditional mineral transformer oil[2]. The presence of
nanoparticles has improved the AC breakdown voltage of
mineral oil significantly. Since the previous studies
experiments hadve shown some positive results to the
mineral oil, there were a number of researches have been
carried out to study the effect of nanoparticles to the
electrical performance of vegetable oils as well. . One of
the proposed vegetable oils is Refined Bleached
Deodorant Palm oil (RBDPO). The palm oilRBDPO
hasd been proposed as an alternative insulating liquid in
transformer due to high dielectric strength and
environmental friendly liquid as compared to mineral oil.
From the previous studies by Purbarun Dhar [3], it is
shown that palm oilRBDPO with CNT nanoparticle has
excellent AC breakdown voltage as compare to mineral
oil. This result shows that palm oil with CNT can be used
as an alternative insulation liquid in transformer.
Therefore, in order to confirm the suitability of this new
nanofluid, further studies need to be carried out before it
can be usedintroducing the palm oil mix with CNT as
alternative oil in transformer application, further studies
need to be carried out to confirm the suitability of the oil
in transformer. One of the important study is the ageing
study of the oil.
Several different nanoparticles have been
investigated in the literatures with the purpose of improving
the dielectric properties of insulating liquids [4]. Tthese
nanoparticles may be divided into three groups, namely
conducting nanoparticles (ZnO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4,),
semiconducting nanoparticles (CuO, TiO2, Cu2O ) and
insulating nanoparticles(BN, SiO2, Al2O3). The host oils are
mineral oil or vegetable oils as shown in Table 1 and Table
2. Segal et al. studied the electrical properties of nanofluids
modified by magnetite nanoparticles [?]. They found that
positive impulse voltage of nanofluid is increased up 50%
compared with the dry and degassed mineral transformer
oil.
The summary of the previous studies can be referred to
Table1 and Table 2.
From Table 1 and Table 2, it shown that the
average breakdown voltage of nano-fluids increase
significantly as compared to host oil only.

In this project, the comparison of ageing

characteristics on the AC breakdown voltage of palm Table 1 Nanoparticles Mixed with Vegetable Oils
oilRBDPO and mineral oil under presence of
nanoparticles will be investigated. The RBDPO is
obtained from readily available cooking oil in the market.
The oils are aged for one month, two months and three Concentration of Average
months at the temperature of 95 degree Celsius (C). This Nanopartic Re
Nanoparticle(g/ Breakdown
process is called the accelerated ageing process. le f
L) Voltage (kV)
Nanoparticle used in this investigation is Carbon
Nanotubes (CNT) which shows good in term heat transfer
as well as voltage breakdown at new oil. CNT is added TiO2 0.003 67.33 [5]
into palm oil and mineral oil with three different
concentration ratios of 0.001 g/L, 0.003 g/L and 0.005 TiO2 0.006 82.48 [5]
g/L. These sample of oils will be tested using BAUR DTA
100C with gap of 2.5 mm to measure their AC breakdown
voltage. The palm oil with CNT nanoparticle is expected TiO2 0.01 77.82 [5]
to perform on par or better than mineral oil with CNT.
TiO2 0.03 71.76 [5]

TiO2 0.05 53.25 [5]

II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Fe3O4 Not stated 59.8 [6]

A. Nanoparticles and Breakdown voltage

A nanoparticle (or nanopowder or nanocluster or Table 2 Nanoparticles Mixed with Mineral Oil
nanocrystal) is a microscopic particle with at least one
dimension less than 100 nm. Recently, nanoparticles have
been dispersed in the transformer oil to form nanofluids and Nanoparticl Concentratio Average Re
exhibited higher insulating properties. e n Of Breakdown
 Nanoparticle Voltage f Average
(%) (kV) Breakdo
Nanopartic Concentration Of Re
wn
le Nanoparticle (%) f
TiO2 0.01 15.6 [7] Voltage
(kV)
BaTiO2 0.01 21.8 [7]
TiO2 0.01 15.6 [7]
ZnO 0.01 29 [7
BaTiO2 0.01 21.8 [7]
TiO2 0.03 22 [7
ZnO 0.01 29 [7]
BaTiO2 0.03 27.8 [7
TiO2 0.03 22 [7]
ZnO 0.03 57.6 [7
BaTiO2 0.03 27.8 [7]

CNT ZnO 0.03 57.6 [7]

A carbon nanotube (CNT) is an attractive material for a

component of nano-suspension because of their unique
structure and remarkable mechanical, thermal, and
electrical properties (C. Choi, Yoo, & Oh, 2008b), (Chiesa
& Das, 2009), (Y. F. Du, Lv, Zhou, Li, & Li, 2010). CNT
can conduct heat and cold really well which mean it has
high thermal conductivity. Heat was conducted by the
vibration of the covalent bonds. Base element of CNT is
carbon which includes graphite while it is soft and
brittle. CNT nanomaterials can be classified as metallic,
quasi-metallic or semiconducting depends on their
properties.
Recent research in thermal ageing studies
between mineral-oil-based nano-fluid and based-
oil prove that the resistance of oil to thermal
ageing will increase after addition of
nanoparticle[8]. This is shown by measured AC
breakdown voltage. The AC breakdown voltage
of aged mineral-oil-based nano-fluid increased by
factors of 2.21 and 1.33 compare to aged base oil.
The distortion of the electric field in the altered
aged oil will be greatly reduced by nanoparticles
which producing a shallow traps wherein
electrons are unceasingly trapped and de-trapped.
By this means, dielectric strength of aged oil will
be increased[4].

B. Thermal Ageing

Average Breakdown Voltage (kV) Ref

86 [9]
Table 3 Breakdown Voltage of Aged Nanoparticles
67.9 [8] mixed with Mineral oil
 Average
Breakdo
Nanoparticl Concentration Of Re
wn
e Nanoparticle (%) f
Voltage
(kV)

TiO2 Not stated 92.7 [9]

TiO2 0.075 80.9 [8]

Host Oils

Generally, there are two types of transformer oils

commonly used widespread all over the world which is
mineral oil and vegetable based oil. Mineral oil and
Table 4 Breakdown voltage of Aged Mineral oil vegetable oil definitely have different in molecular
structures, physical, chemical and dielectric characteristics.
Average Vegetable based oil such as coconut oil only suitable for hot
Breakdo climate country or for voltages over 230kV (Abeysundara
Nanoparticl Concentration Of Re
wn D.C , Weerekoon C. , Lucas J.R. Gunantunga K.A.I,
e Nanoparticle (%) f
Voltage 2001).
(kV)
Mineral oil which traditionally used as transformer oil
TiO2 Not stated 92.7 [9] since decades has excellent dielectric properties such as
high electric strength, dielectric losses and good for long
TiO2 0.075 80.9 [8] term performance (Heathcote, 2007). It has known as
transformer oil for century due to its chemical and
physical properties: chemical stability, low viscosity,
higher pour point and etc. (CIGRE Working Group
A2.35, 2010). Mineral oil contains different types of
Average Breakdown Voltage (kV) Ref hydrocarbon molecules such as aromatics CnHn (benzene
C6H6), paraffin CnH2n+2 (hexane C6H14), naphthenes
86 [9] CnH2n (cyclohexane C6H12) and others. The proportion of
molecules depends on the composition of the types of
67.9 [8] petroleum.

Table and table are summarized the breakdown voltage of

mineral oil and vegetable oils.

Transformer
 Ref
Average Breakdown
Vegetable Oil Ref
Voltage (kV)

CCO 30 [10]

RCO 36.6 [10]

RBDPO 52 [10]

RBDPO 75 [11]

CPO 17 [10]

CPO 23 [11]

Synthetic ester More than 75 [12]

Natural ester More than 75 [12]

Ester 76 [13]

Ester 78 [13]

Average Breakdown
Voltage (kV)

70 [12]

Table 5 Breakdown voltage of Vegetable oils

45 [11]

50 [13]
Average Breakdown
Vegetable Oil Ref
Voltage (kV)

CCO 30 [10]
Table 6 Breakdown voltage of Mineral oils
RCO 36.6 [10]

RBDPO 52 [10]
Average Breakdown Voltage (kV) Ref
RBDPO 75 [11]

CPO 17 [10] 70 [12]

CPO 23 [11] 45 [11]

Synthetic ester More than 75 [12] 50 [13]

Natural ester More than 75 [12]

Ester 76 [13]

Ester 78 [13]
 C. AC Breakdown Voltage

Dielectric strength also known as AC breakdown

voltage. Test standard used IEC 60156. This test involves
applying an AC voltage at a measured rate of two
electrodes submerged in the dielectric fluid. The gap has a
specified distance. The voltage produce between the current
arcs at the gap is the dielectric strength breakdown of the
oil insulation. Impurities such as water and conducting
particles decrease the dielectric strength of the oil
insulation. Clean dry oil has a naturally great dielectric
strength but still impurities will occur with a very small
amount that does not affect the average breakdown voltage
of the oil insulation[14].

Nanoparticles can increase the ac breakdown

strength of vegetable oil, a non-flammable and ecologically
friendly alternate for mineral oil[15]. AC breakdown
voltage of semiconducting nanoparticles was up to 13%
higher than mineral oil while insulating nanoparticles will
reduce the breakdown strength of mineral oil[16].
III. METHODOLOGY
Figure 1 Flowchart of Research Activities
The methodology of the study is shown in Figure.
The flowchart shows that a few steps need to be taken
before the AC breakdown testing is done. The step begin
with:

A. Preparation of Nanofluids

Nanoparticles used in this experiment is conductive

nanoparticle which is Carbon Nanotubes (CNT). The
preparation of nano-fluid is based on the two-steps
technique of preparing nanoparticle. A 500ml oil is used in
the experiment. A 100 ml of oil is also used for process of
rinsing and cleaning the test vessel of AC breakdown test
unit and also filtering of the oil samples. 400ml is used for
testing purpose. CNT will be added into palm oil and
mineral oil with three different concentration ratios of 0.001
g/L, 0.003 g/L and 0.005 g/L using sonication process. The
equipments for this study are Oil Breakdown Tester
(BAUR DTA 100 C), Sonicator, Digital Measuring
Instrument Weight, and the vacuum oven (VO200
Memmert).

Figure 2 Filtering of oil sample
B. Sonication process
Digital measuring instrument weight is used to
measure the amount of CNT used accurately. Palm oil and
mineral oil with three different concentration ratios of
0.001 g/L, 0.003 g/L and 0.005 g/L will be disperse into
mineral oil and palm oil using sonicator for 20 minutes at
50 Amplitude. During sonication process, precaution step
must be considered which is wrap the beakers of test
sample by using wet tissue to prevent overheated of the
beakers that can cause crack of the beaker. The probe of
sonicator must be immerse into the beaker for at least to
improve the dispersal of CNT. For every 5 to 7 minutes,
the condition of the beaker must be check while the
sonicator need to be paused.
Figure 3 Digital measuring instrument weight is used to
measure the amount of CNT
Figure 4 Sonication process of Palm Oil with CNT
C. Drying process
After the sonication process, the nano fluids will
be dried using the vacuum oven (VO200 Memmert) for at
least 2 days with the temperature of 85C. Precaution steps
must be considered during this process such as . while
nanofluids is being dry in the vacuum oven (VO200
Memmert), the other fluids cannot be dried together inside
the vacuum oven. This is due to concern of nanofluids will
absorb the moisture from other liquid and characteristic of
the nanofluids will be changed. After the drying process,
the nanofluids will be rest at ambient temperature for about
30 minutes before the ageing process is done.
 Figure 6 BAUR DTA 100C [14]

Figure 5 Drying process of Palm Oil with CNT

F. Analysis of result

D. Ageing Process
Last step is to analyse the data. The obtain data
will be analysed using the appropriate distribution to
For ageing process, the oil samples will be replicate the breakdown voltage of the nano-fluids. The
exposed to the temperature of 95C at different ageing time comparison between the mineral oil and vegetable of will
such as 1 month, 2 months and 3 months period. After this be studied and the conclusion will be concluded at the end
aging process, all the samples will be put into vacuum oven of the project.
(VO200 Memmert) at pressure less than 1 kPa for two days
to degas and to be dried. Another extra one day is required
for cooling down process to ambient temperature. Then, the
breakdown voltage of aged oils will be measure after the
aging process.

IV. INITIAL RESULT

E. AC breakdown voltage test Table 7 and Table 8 show the initial result of mineral
oil with CNT and Palm oil with CNT with concentration
ratio of 0.01g/L. These oils are new oils without
The equipment used for AC breakdown voltage
experienced any thermal ageing. As we can see from the
test is BAUR DTA 100C and the test is carried out
table the average of breakdown voltage for mineral oil with
according to the IEC 60156 standard procedure to evaluate
CNT is 56.6 kV. Moreover, the average of breakdown
the breakdown voltage. The breakdown test will be carried
voltage of palm oil with CNT is 63.38 kV. Based on this
out by using mushroom shape electrode with gap distance
initial results, it is shown that palm oil with CNT showing
of 2.5mm. This equipment can supply the voltage up to 100
better breakdown voltage as compared to mineral oil with
kV and the injected voltage gradually increase at 2.0kV/s
CNT.
until the breakdown occurs. The oils will be filled into the
test cell that have capacity of 400 ml. The time to stir after
each breakdown will be set for about 2 minutes and
magnetic stirrer will be used to make sure the distribution
of nano-fluids occur equally between the electrodes during
the breakdown proses. Besides that the stirrer is also used
to clear the arc present after the breakdown occur. The total
of 50 AC breakdown voltages for each oil sample will be
collected for analysis of result.
 Table 7 Mineral Oil Mixed with CNT (0.01 g/L)

Measurement Breakdown Voltage (kV)

1 60.8
Table 8 Palm Oil Mixed with CNT (0.01 g/L)
2 65.3

3 63.9

4 62.1
Measurement Breakdown Voltage (kV)
5 64.8

1 54.9

2 55.7

3 56.2

4 54.3

5 61.9

V. EXPECTED RESULTS

The AC Breakdown voltage for ageing palm oil

under the presence of nanoparticles is expected to perform
better or comparable to the mineral oil.

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