Did you know that there is a more environmentally friendly alternative to mineral oil for your liquid-insulated transformer?
An liquid-insulated transformer can be filled with ester oil instead of traditional mineral oil. Ester oil is 98% pure vegetable oil from soy or rapeseed, a more environmentally friendly alternative that is non-toxic, recyclable and biodegradable. In addition to being a better choice for the planet, there are also three other key benefits: it is safer, more reliable and has higher resilience.
Ester oil is a less flammable liquid (K2 class) with a flash point of approx. 330 degrees, compared to mineral oil’s 140 degrees, making it a safer choice in terms of fire safety. This reduces the risk of explosions and fires, and therefore the risk of injury to people and equipment. The high fire performance of ester oil also reduces the need for large building distances, high fire safety levels and extensive fire extinguishing systems. The liquid has both a high flamepoint and self-extinguishing properties, allowing installations to be made more compact while maintaining high safety. Space can therefore be better utilized, with both practical and economic benefits.
In addition to its fire safety, ester oil improves the performance and lifetime of transformers. By minimizing moisture in the insulation, ester oil helps preserve electrical reliability. Thanks to the high moisture tolerance, moisture is effectively removed from the windings. Compared to other insulating fluids, tests show that ester oil can extend the life of transformer paper by up to 5-8 times. The result? A transformer that requires less maintenance, fewer repairs and lower operating costs.
As mentioned earlier, ester oil has a great resistance to high temperatures. This is a major advantage for installations with large load differences, such as solar and wind power. Because the transformer can be temporarily overloaded, this means that you can use a smaller transformer than you would need if the transformer was filled with mineral oil. For larger solar and wind farms, this means significantly reduced investment costs and better lifetime economics.
Ester oil is a smart choice for both the planet and your business! Want to know more? Contact us by phone or fill in our contact form and we will help you!