Bio-Sourced Dielectric Fluid Stabilization Against Stray Gas Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dielectric fluids used in electrical equipment face challenges such as oxidative degradation, thermal degradation, and ionizing degradation, leading to the formation of stray gases like hydrogen, methane, and ethylene, which can cause explosions and reduce the effectiveness of the fluid's insulating and cooling properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating phosphite compounds into dielectric fluids, either alone or in combination with non-phosphite antioxidant compounds, to inhibit the formation of stray gases by stabilizing the fluid and reducing oxidative degradation, thereby enhancing the fluid's stability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If di-tert-butylphenol-based antioxidants are added to dielectric fluids to reduce oxidative degradation, then the stability of the fluid is improved, but the fluid develops high color which is detrimental to visualization of oil quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by substituting di-tert-butylphenol-based antioxidants with phosphite-based antioxidants, which provide equivalent oxidative stability protection without producing the detrimental high color effect, thus resolving the contradiction between stability improvement and color deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs passivators that work synergistically with phosphite antioxidants to extend the effective life of the antioxidant system, allowing the use of more stable but potentially shorter-lived phosphite compounds while maintaining long-term performance through the passivator's protective action
2Temperature
If dielectric fluids are used to transport heat from equipment, then cooling capacity is improved, but thermal degradation leads to generation of stray gases that reduce fluid effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating phosphite-based antioxidants and passivators into the dielectric fluid before thermal degradation can occur. These additives preemptively prevent oxidative and thermal degradation reactions, stopping the chain reactions that would otherwise lead to stray gas generation and loss of fluid effectiveness during heat transport operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite protective system combining phosphite-based antioxidants with passivators, where the phosphite provides primary antioxidant protection against thermal degradation while the passivator offers secondary protection by neutralizing metal catalysts, together providing enhanced stability during cooling operations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vegetable oils are used as dielectric fluids to improve environmental compatibility, then environmental impact is reduced, but oxidative degradation stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by introducing phosphite-based antioxidants specifically suited for vegetable oil compositions, which address the higher unsaturation and oxidative vulnerability of bio-sourced oils while maintaining their environmental benefits, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental compatibility and oxidative stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs passivators as intermediary substances that work between the vegetable oil and environmental factors, providing an additional protective layer that enhances oxidative stability without compromising the inherent environmental compatibility of the bio-sourced oil base
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The addition of phosphite compounds significantly reduces the generation of hydrogen, ethane, methane, and ethylene gases, improving the fluid's stability and extending its lifespan by preventing oxidative degradation and thermal breakdown, thus maintaining effective insulation and cooling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Oils used as dielectric fluids, e.g. mineral oils, synthetic esters, and in particular bio-sourced oils, have limitations of stability when used as dielectric fluids. Oxidative degradation in particular increases the hydrogen and ethane concentrations of thermal degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A dielectric fluid is provided comprising a natural bio-sourced oil and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of phosphite compounds. It has been discovered that addition of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of phosphite compounds to dielectric fluids comprising oil impart a stabilizing effect that reduces, inhibits or prevents formation of stray gases in the dielectric fluid during ordinary use.