Tyree’s new Bio-degradable NeuGen1540 provides a smooth operation at higher thermal and high loading conditions and is suitable for use in high voltage transformers. It is distributed by Tyree throughout Australia and New Zealand.

A Curtin University led research team including CSIRO and leading electrical testing company have developed a vegetable oil based fluid that could potentially replace an estimated 40 billion litres of toxic mineral oil currently used in power and electricity distribution transformers across worldwide.

Mineral oil-based dielectric liquids have been widely used in power and distribution transformers for over a century. Traditionally electric power transformers are cooled and insulated by mineral oil which poses a threat to our environment due to the risk of explosion, leakage and oil spills, coupled with the added problem of end-of-life disposal.

Mineral oil has dominated the market for many years due to its wide availability and relatively low cost, however there has been a growing concern that the ideal dielectric fluid should also be biodegradable and renewable.

Funded by an ARC Linkage grant, the research to develop the oil was jointly conducted by Professor Syed Islam, Chair in Power Engineering at Curtin University, Dr M Amanullah, Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO and local chemists specialising in transformer diagnosis.

NeuGen 1540 is derived from renewable feedstocks and exceeds all international standards for performance of a dielectric fluid.

Features:

• Biodegradable.
• Excellent electrical, chemical and thermal properties.
• Low viscosity.
• Low pour point.
• High flash point.

NeuGen’s revolutionary oil will provide a smooth operation at higher thermal and loading conditions and be suitable for use in high voltage transformers.

Readily Biodegradeable

Professor Syed Islam said the new oil was readily biodegradable and would improve the occupational health and safety of personnel involved in maintaining the power and distribution transformers used in transmission and distribution networks worldwide.

Another driving force behind this innovation was to find a sustainable source of base liquid in dielectric liquid formulation, as the world supply of mineral oil becomes depleted.

The base liquid is required to be high in oleic content and the recent WA government decision to produce genetically modified canola will ensure continuity of production and offer the farming community an alternative market. “Our work has also broken new ground in the processes used to develop a low viscosity vegetable based dielectric liquid, with all the required characteristics,” Dr Amanullah the co-developer of the oil said.

Higher Effiency Confirmed

The higher efficiency of the new oil was confirmed in tests as part of the ARC project. The team compared two identically loaded transformers – one with vegetable based oil and the other with mineral oil – and the vegetable based oil filled transformer operated at 20 degrees cooler than the mineral one. As a rule of thumb, every 10 degree rise in operating temperature can reduce the transformer life to half.

Benefits:

NeuGen 1540:
• is environmentally friendly, operationally superior and cost effective.
• can be fitted to most types of transformers and can be retrofitted to transformers currently in service.
• can be used in a range of environmental conditions.
• assists in extending the service life of transformers.
• assists in reducing risk of transformers failure.

Biolectric has lodged patents in Australia, China, USA, Europe and Japan to protect the project’s intellectual property. It has also received an Australian Government COMET grant to continue its market and product research.

Neugen 1540 Electrical Chemical and Thermal Properties

Dielectric Strength IEC 601556/AS 1767.1 ≥ 86 kV
Neutralisation Number IEC 60296 ≤ 0.0216 mgKOH/g
Moisture Content IEC 60814 ≤ 50 mg / Kg
Interfacial Tension ISO 6295 ≥ 28.2 mN/m
Dissipation Factor IEC 60247 ≤ 0.00379 (25°C)
D.C. Resistivity (25°C) IEC 60247 ≥ 43.015GΩm
Flash Point D93-97 ≥ 225.1°C
Pour Point ASTM D97-96a ≤ -18°C
Viscosity (40°C) D445-97/D7042-04 ≤ 14.4 cSt
Colour D1500 L 0.5
Appearance IEC 60296 Transparent, Straw
Shrimp Toxicity ESA SOP 107 Non-Toxic
Biodegradation Rate CEC-L-33-A-97 ≥ 95%

MSDS sheets available on request.