Application of environmentally friendly oils as dielectrics in power transformers

Transformatori su neizostavan dio elektroenergetskog sustava. Zbog širenja urbanih dijelova veliki transformatori sve se više nalaze u naseljima ili u njihovoj blizini. U ovom radu bit će pojašnjen rad energetskih transformatora i njihova pozicija u elektroenergetskoj mreži te njihov utjecaj na okoliš i naseljena područja. Potencijalnu opasnost za okoliš, kao i za ljude koji žive u blizini transformatorskih stanica predstavljaju tekući dielektrici, odnosno ulja koja se u velikim količinama nalaze u transformatorima. Ovaj će rad ukazati na potencijalna rješenja koja se u proizvodnji transformatora pokušavaju prilagoditi modernim izazovima. Jedan od uvjeta koji će transformatori u naseljenim područjima u budućnosti morati ispuniti jest i zamjena mineralnih ulja biorazgradivim i toplinski izdržljivijim izolacijskim tekućinama. Izolacijske tekućine koje se sve više koriste sintetički su i prirodni esteri. Transformator punjen esterom predstavlja puno manju opasnost za okolinu od klasičnog transformatora punjenog mineralnim uljem zbog toga što esteri imaju puno višu točku zapaljivosti i biorazgradivi su. Podaci prikupljeni u ovom radu dobiveni su iz stručnih članaka te direktno od samih proizvođača transformatora. Prikupljanjem dostupnih podataka u ovom radu pokušat će se objasniti opravdanost proizvodnje transformatora s biorazgradivim izolacijskim tekućinama. Ukazat će se i na poboljšanja u samoj izvedbi transformatora, kao i sve veću ulogu koju bi u skoroj budućnosti transformatori prikupljanjem i slanjem podataka trebali imati u cijelom elektroenergetskom sustavu. Ovim radom opisana je dugoročna isplativost korištenja transformatora punjenih esterom kao i prednosti njihovog korištenja u gusto naseljenim i u ekološko osjetljivim područjima.Transformers are an indispensable part of the power system. Due to the expansion of urban areas, large transformers are more often located in residential areas or their vicinity. This paper will explain the operation of power transformers and their position in the power grid and their impact on the environment and populated areas, potential dangers to the environment, as well as to people living near transformer stations, the impact of liquid dielectrics, ie oils that are found in large quantities in transformers. This paper will point out potential solutions that are trying to adapt to modern challenges in the production of transformers. One of the conditions that transformers in populated areas will have to meet in the future is the replacement of mineral oils with biodegradable and more heat-resistant insulating fluids. Insulating fluids that are more often used are synthetic and natural esters. Ether-filled transformer poses a much lower danger to the environment than a classic transformer which is filled with mineral oil because esters have a much higher flash point and are biodegradable. The data collected in this paper were obtained from professional articles and directly from the transformer manufacturers themselves. By collecting the available data in this paper, an attempt will be made to explain the justification for the production of transformers with biodegradable insulating fluids. Improvements in the performance of transformers will also be pointed out, by collecting and sending data, as well as the growing role that transformers should play in the entire power system in the near future. Long term cost effectiveness from usage of ester filled power transformers will be described with this paper as well as its usage advantages in densely populated and environmental sensitive areas