An analysis of the applicability of furan measurements to determine paper state of health in ester oil/paper insulation systems

Abstract

Measurements of 2-furfuraldehyde (2-FAL) in oil are routinely used to predict paper condition in mineral oil filled transformers. Since the level of 2-FAL in oil is influenced by moisture, the hydrophobicity of the oil, aging conditions and the presence of other materials, adjustments may be required before this methodology can be applied to ester filled transformers. The variables that influence the relationship between 2-FAL and degree of polymerization (DP) were investigated through thermal aging of oil/paper systems across four transformer insulating liquids; a synthetic ester (SE), a natural ester (NE), an ester based biofluid (BF) and a mineral oil (MO). Whilst a copper catalyst had a negligible effect, more 2-FAL was found in SE/paper systems and less in NE/paper systems compared with MO/paper systems. 2-FAL levels were depleted following long-term storage whilst the use of wetter paper had the opposite effect. With minor adjustments, correlations between 2-FAL and DP established for mineral oil filled transformers can be applied to ester filled plant.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Ian Hosier: orcid.org/0000-0003-4365-9385

ORCID for Paul Lewin: orcid.org/0000-0002-3299-2556

ORCID for Thomas Andritsch: orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-022X

ORCID for Edward Jackman: orcid.org/0009-0001-5535-3829

ORCID for Nikita Rank: orcid.org/0000-0003-2092-2662

Catalogue record

Export record