Preparation and Study of Breakdown Features of
Transformer Oil Based Magnetic Nanofluids
Muhammad Rafiq, Chengrong Li
Beijing Key Laboratory of High Voltage & EMC
North China Electric Power University
Beijing, 102206, China
Jutt96@gmail.com
Abstract—Nanofluids were developed by suspending
conductive nanoparticles to improve the dielectric properties of
transformer oil. The AC and lightening impulse breakdown
voltages were measured for prepared samples in accordance to
IEC standards. The results menifested that the addition of
conductive nanoparticles (NPs) to the mineral oil can improve the
mean AC breakdown performance 1.14 times of that for carrier
oil .Additionally, for nanofluids, the mean lightning impulse
breakdown voltages were also enhanced than that of base
transformer oil and were 1.36 times in comparison to host oil. A
possible mechanism of conductive nanoaprticles was also used to
describe the difference among the performance of nanofluids and
base oil.
Keywords— nanofluid; mineral oil; breakdown performnace;
nanoparticles
I. INTRODUCTION
A transformer is the most essential part of electrical
network for providing reliable and safe of electricity [1]. The
transformer oil is typically applied for insulation in
transformers due to its better dielectric traits. With the advent
of Ultra High Voltage Transmission system (UHVTs), the
insulating properties of normal oil insulation are not enough to
meet the requirement of ultra high voltage transformer. Also,
the condition of transformer oil significantly affects the
lifespan of a transformer in the oil-paper insulation system [2,
3, and 4]. Therefore, research work is required improve the
insulating characteristics of oil insulation.
A unique novel study with the aim to enhance the
dielectric performance of transformer is the development of
nanofluids by addition of nanoparticles into mineral oils.
Recently, nanofluids have been developed by scattering
nanoparticles in the mineral oil and they presented good
dielectric properties [5-10]. Segal et al. developed nanofluids
by employing magnetic nanoparticles and invetigated the
dielctric characteristics [6]. Their results manifested that
positive impulse breakdown of developed nanofluids were
enhanced in comparison to the mineral oil. Other research
groups also studied the electric characteristics of nanofluids
modified by semiconductive nanoparticles.
Shafqat Hussnain
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology
Lahore, 54890, Pakistan
shafqat_uetian@hotmail.com
The probable breakdown mechanisms to explian the
enhancment in breakdown performance of nanofluids were
investigated [10-14]. It is considered that scattered condcutive
nanoparticles into oil act as electron scavengers, transforming
high speed electrons to low mobility negatively charged NPs
based on the simulation model results, hence the initiation and
transportation of streamer is hindered, and the dielectric
strength is enhanced [10-13].
A lot of researchers have applied different NPs to improve
insulating properties of transformer oil [15, 16]. Therefore, in
this study, colloidal fluids were developed by employing
conductive Fe3O4 nanoparticles as principle modifiers. The
AC and lightning impulse breakdown voltages were measured
for both nanofluids and transformer oil. The possible
enhancement in breakdown characteristics of nanofluids is
described in the light of electron scavenger theory.
II. EXPERIMENT
A. Development of Nanofluids
The nanoparticles were developed in our lab. The mineral
oil (25#Kelamayi) was filtered to remove the contaminants
and to fulfill the requirements of clean oil by CIGRE working
body 12.17 [17]. The ultrasonic route was emploed to well
scatter the nanoparticles into the host oil. The test samples
were kept at 1kPa for almost 48h to diminish the affects of
micro-bubbles produced during the sonication. The Karl
Fischer titration method was employed for the moisture
measurement of the prepared samples before tests. The
typical basic characteristics of conductive nanoparticles are
given in following Table I.
TABLE I PROPERTIES OF NANOPARTICLES
Properties Magnetic Nanoparticles
Conductivity (S/m) 104-105
Relaxation time (s) 7.47×10-14
Relative permittivity 80
Density (g/cm3) 5.18
Material type conductive
B. Breakdown Voltage Tests
The AC breakdown voltages can be defined as the measure
of liquid’s capacity to endure the electrical stress at line
frequency. They are measured by using a Jiantong 6801
Automatic 50 Hz Electric detector in accordance to IEC 60156
standards. A gap distance of 2 mm is kept between two
spherically capped electrodes made of brass. The voltages were
elevated with a step of 2kV/s. A 300s settling time is employed
pre-application of voltages. The stirring action times was
settled to 60 seconds after every breakdown. The test
equipment gives six values of breakdown each time and 5 sets
of 6 breakdowns is conducted. For every sample, a total of 30
breakdowns were achieved for every fluid and mean value was
considered as AC breakdown voltage. The experiment was
carried out at room temperature.
The Lightning impulse breakdown tests were carried out to
examine the liquid’s breakdown voltage under standard
lightening impulse (1.2μs/50μs). A ten level impulse voltage
producer is utilized to provide standard lightning impulse
wave. The breakdown voltages of nanofluids and oil were
measured by using a oil tank and a needle to sphere electrode
setup (as manifested in Fig. 1). A gap distance of 25 mm was
used for positive and 15 mm for negative impulse breakdown
voltages measurement according to IEC 60897 standard. The
Fig. 1. Test Cell and electrode configuration
sample was exposed to an initial selected voltage value and
then was raised step by step (2.5kV in each step) until B. Positive Impulse Breakdown Strength
breakdown occurs. The needle electrode is renewed after each The positive impulse breakdown test was carried out for
breakdown to make sure the similar experimental conditions. both mineral oil and nanofluids. The results are provided in
A total of six breakdown readings were attained for each fluid Figure 3. Nanofluids indicated an improvement of impulse
to establish repeatability. The mean value wais considered breakdown voltage than mineral oil. The mean lightning
taken as lightning impulse breakdown voltage [18]. impulse breakdown voltages of nanofluids were improved 1.36
Meanwhile, for the validity of the test results, three impulse times in comparison to base transformer oil. The average
waves should be applied at each voltage level and every oil streamer velocity is determined by applying the electrode gap
sample should withstand at least three voltage levels before distance and time to breakdown. The value for nanofluid is
the occurrence of breakdown. 0.98 km/s and 1.94 km/s for pure mineral oil.
III. DISCUSSIONS ON EXPERIMENTAL OUTCOMES C. Negative impulse Breakdown Strength
A. AC Voltage Measurement of Nanofluids The negative impulse breakdown test was carried out for
both mineral oil and nanofluids. The summary of results is
The vital investigation of a liquid insulation status is its shown in Figure 4.
dielectric strength or breakdown voltages. The breakdown
strength is the value of electrical voltages at which the oil will IV. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
halt insulating functionality and will eventually breakdown, The mechanism of the improved AC and positive impulse
allowing huge current pass through it. The moisture level of all breakdown properties are related to the relaxation time
prepared fluids was investigated before experiments were constant and polarization of nanoparticles in nanofluids, which
almost 15ppm. The AC breakdown results for transformer oil are highly dependent on the conductivity and permittivity of
and corresponding magnetic nanofluids are shown in Fig. 2. It nanoparticles. According to Mark Zahn [13], if the relaxation
is found from results that the AC breakdown voltage for time constant of free charges accumulated on the surface of
nanofluids attained enhancement of 16% in the existence of nanoparticle is shorter than the time scale of streamer
NPs. propagation, the presence of nanoparticles will effectively
alter the electrodynamics in the oil. The relaxation time
constant is given by (1).
 where ɛ1 and ɛ2 are the permittivity of pure transformer oil
and magnetic nanoparticles respectively and σ1 and σ2 are the
conductivities of base oil and nanoparticles respectively. A
small value of τr corresponds to the faster absorption of
electrons by nanoparticles. According to the calculations [19,
20], the relaxation time constant of magnetic nanoparticles
Fe3O4 is smaller as compared with propagation time of
streamer. The surface of magnetic nanoparticles can absorb
free electrons quickly, thus changing the potential distribution
around the particle [13]. By capturing the free electrons, the
streamer velocity will be reduced and hence the magnetic
nanoparticles improve the dielectric strength of nanofluids in
comparison to the transformer oil.
Fig. 2 AC Breakdown voltages for nanofluid and mineral oil
Fig. 3 Positive impulse breakdown voltages for nanofluid and mineral oil
Fig. 4 Negative impulse breakdown voltages for nanofluid and mineral oil
The situation under negative lightning impulse voltages
application is different. The ionization of transformer oil
happens near the negative needle electrode after space charge
and corona generation. After the application of negative
lightning impulse to the nanofluid, a small amount of positive
ions created by field ionization are neutralized after
approaching the needle electrode. The remaining portion of
positive ions stays at negative electrode. The phenomenon
strengthens the electric field at plate electrode and weakens at
needle electrode. Therefore, high voltages are needed for the
initiation and development of streamer in nanofluids [19].
V. CONCLUSION
In this research paper, breakdown characteristics of mineral
oil and prepared nanofluids were measured. The
measurements menifested an enhancement in the breakdown
performance of nanofluids in comparison to mineral oil for
both AC and positive impulse voltages. For negative impulse
voltages, the mineral oil indicated higher dielectric strength as
compared to the nanofluids.
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