Bio-Sourced Dielectric Oil Processing for Moisture and Polar Impurities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bio-sourced oils pose challenges in processing due to their polar functionality, high water content, and polar impurities, which are difficult to remove using conventional methods, leading to issues like filter degradation and increased degassing time, making it hard to produce high-quality dielectric fluids for electrical equipment.

Innovation Solution

A mobile apparatus is designed to process bio-sourced oils by heating them to at least 60°C, circulating through adsorbent media to remove polar impurities, and using filter arrays with beta ratings of at least 200 to retain particles of 0.5 micron or larger, along with a degasser and vacuum system to manage moisture, and adding antioxidants and additives to achieve desired dielectric fluid specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional processing methods are used on bio-sourced oils, then the processing is simpler and less costly, but the polar impurities and water content cannot be effectively removed, leading to poor dielectric fluid quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of dielectric fluidVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system is divided into multiple specialized modules: adsorbent media columns for polar impurity removal, filter arrays for particle filtration, and degasser units for water removal. Each module targets specific contaminants, enabling effective purification of bio-sourced oils while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional segmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Adsorbent media serve as intermediary substances that selectively bind to and remove polar impurities from bio-sourced oils. These media act as mediators between the oil and the filtration system, enabling the removal of challenging polar contaminants that conventional methods cannot effectively handle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If bio-sourced oils are processed to remove all polar impurities and water, then high-quality dielectric fluid is produced, but the processing time increases significantly due to extended degassing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of dielectric fluidVSAvoiddegassing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary removal of bulk water and polar impurities through adsorbent media and filtration before the final degassing stage. This preliminary action reduces the water content and contaminant load, allowing the subsequent degassing process to reach the required quality specifications much faster than if starting from raw bio-sourced oil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processing system operates continuously with multiple modules working in parallel or sequence, maintaining constant flow and treatment. The adsorbent media, filters, and degasser units operate simultaneously to remove different contaminants, eliminating idle time between processing stages and reducing total processing time while ensuring thorough purification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If bio-sourced oils are heated to high temperatures for processing, then polar impurities and water are more effectively removed, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of dielectric fluidVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the temperature parameter throughout the processing sequence, using moderate heating during adsorption and filtration stages, then applying higher temperatures during the final degassing stage when bulk water removal is most critical. This dynamic parameter adjustment achieves effective impurity removal while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to sustained high-temperature processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process efficiently produces bio-sourced oil dielectric fluids with low Dielectric Dissipation Factor, Acid Value, and moisture content, meeting performance standards for electrical equipment, while being cost-effective and suitable for on-site production in developing markets.

Implementation Method 1

circulating through adsorbent media to remove polar impurities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

heating them to at least 60°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

using filter arrays with beta ratings of at least 200 to retain particles of 0.5 micron or larger, along with a degasser and vacuum system to manage moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS20240158717A1Method for making bio-sourced oil dielectric fluids

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 CARGILL INC

AI summary

Processes for processing bio-sourced oil to produce bio-sourced oil dielectric fluids can be carried out using an apparatus mounted on a mobile transport platform system having a total footprint of no more than about 30 m2. The processes use a described array of pumps, heaters, filters, a degasser and vacuum system, and an additive metering/mixing valve system to achieve production under low energy and pressure conditions.