Effect of moisture content on temperature characteristics of dielectric breakdown strength of biodegradable ester oils

The authors showed in previous report that the relative moisture content of biodegradable ester oil increases with increasing temperature, which affects the AC breakdown voltage (BDV). This paper presents the dependence of BDV on moisture content and temperature under conditions of high moisture content in biodegradable ester oil (EO). AC BDV of the three biodegradable ester oils, PFAE (monoester), FR3 (tri-ester), and MIDEL (tetra-ester), with different ester linkages, was measured at different oil temperatures and relative water contents using sphere electrodes. Results showed that BDV decreased with increasing moisture content (MC) in all kinds of the ester oils. The BDV of PFAE and FR3 decreased from room temperature to 50 °C, but then increased in the temperature range from 50 °C to 80 °C. The decrease and increase in insulation properties are attributed to an increase in water content in the oil and to the viscosity decrease resulting in suppression of streamer discharge propagation, respectively. On the other hand, BDV of tetra-ester continued to decrease with increasing temperature. This result can be attributed to the larger number of ester bonds, unlike monoesters and tri-ester. The ester linkages in the material are a weak point in the insulating properties, which can easily lead to a decrease in BDV at all the measuring temperatures.We sincerely thank the project funded by BIOTRAFO with Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 823969 and LION Corporation, Japan for providing PFAE for analysis

Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The reinforcement of epoxy by MWCNTs is done to obtain the required properties of composites. However, the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is a critical problem. Hence, an attempt is made to optimize the processing conditions for dispersing the MWCNTs in epoxy by solvent dispersion technique. The epoxy/MWCNTs mixture was prepared using three methods: (1) magnetic stirring at 55°C, (2) hot air oven process at 55°C, and (3) vacuum oven process at room temperature. The nanocomposites having 0.1 and 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs were prepared, for each method. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied as per ASTM-D695, and the thermal conductivity was measured using KD2 probe. It is observed that the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal conductivity of 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs prepared by vacuum oven method were found to be enhanced by 39.4, 10.7, and 59.2%, respectively, compared to those of pure epoxy. Though the properties of nanocomposites were increased with MWCNTs’ concentration irrespective of the processing techniques, the vacuum-processed sample showed the most enhanced properties compared to any other method. It is concluded that a unique method for the dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is the solvent dispersion technique with vacuum drying process

Electrohydrodynamics Analysis of Dielectric 2D Nanofluids

The purpose of this present study is to prepare a stable mineral-oil (MO)-based nanofluid (NF) for usage as a coolant in a transformer. Nanoparticles (NPs) such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and titanium oxide (TiO2) have superior thermal and electrical characteristics. Their dispersion into MO is likely to elevate the electrothermal properties of NFs. Therefore, different batches of NFs are prepared by uniformly dispersing the insulating h-BN and semiconducting TiO2 NP of different concentrations in MO. Bulk h-BN NP of size 1μm is exfoliated into 2D nanosheets of size 150–200 nm, subsequently enhancing the surface area of exfoliated h-BN (Eh-BN). However, from the zeta-potential analysis, NP concentration of 0.01 and 0.1 wt.% are chosen for further study. The thermal conductivity and ACBDV studies of the prepared NF are performed to investigate the cooling and insulation characteristics. The charging-dynamics study verifies the enhancement in ACBDV of the Eh-BN NF. Weibull statistical analysis is carried out to obtain the maximum probability of ACBDV failure, and it is observed that 0.01 wt.% based NF has superior cooling and insulation properties than MO and remaining batches of NFs

Nano-Biochar as a Sustainable Catalyst for Anaerobic Digestion: A Synergetic Closed-Loop Approach

Nowadays, the valorization of organic wastes using various carbon-capturing technologies is a prime research area. The anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is gaining much consideration in this regard that simultaneously deals with waste valorization and bioenergy production sustainably. Biochar, a well-recognized carbonaceous pyrogenic material and possessing a broad range of inherent physical and chemical properties, has diverse applications in the fields of agriculture, health-care, sensing, catalysis, carbon capture, the environment and energy. The nano-biochar-amended anaerobic digestion approach has intensively been explored for the past few years. However, an inclusive study of multi-functional roles of biochar and the mechanism involved for enhancing the biogas production via the AD process still need to be evaluated. The present review inspects the significant role of biochar addition and the kinetics involved, further focusing on the limitations, perspectives, and challenges of the technology. Additionally, the techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of biochar-aided AD process for the closed-loop integration of biochar and AD and possible improvement practices are discussed

Nano-Biochar as a Sustainable Catalyst for Anaerobic Digestion: A Synergetic Closed-Loop Approach

Nowadays, the valorization of organic wastes using various carbon-capturing technologies is a prime research area. The anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is gaining much consideration in this regard that simultaneously deals with waste valorization and bioenergy production sustainably. Biochar, a well-recognized carbonaceous pyrogenic material and possessing a broad range of inherent physical and chemical properties, has diverse applications in the fields of agriculture, health-care, sensing, catalysis, carbon capture, the environment and energy. The nano-biochar-amended anaerobic digestion approach has intensively been explored for the past few years. However, an inclusive study of multi-functional roles of biochar and the mechanism involved for enhancing the biogas production via the AD process still need to be evaluated. The present review inspects the significant role of biochar addition and the kinetics involved, further focusing on the limitations, perspectives, and challenges of the technology. Additionally, the techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of biochar-aided AD process for the closed-loop integration of biochar and AD and possible improvement practices are discussed