IJAM: Volume 38, No. 3 (2025)

DIELECTRIC PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT
OF TRANSFORMER OIL USING
ZNO, TIO2 AND HYBRID ZNO-TIO2 NANOFLUIDS

 

Abhijeet Lal*, Anup Mishra, Abhishek Verma, Mukesh Kumar Chandrakar

 

Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering,
Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg,
Chhattisgarh, 491001, India

 

Abstract. The dielectric reliability of power transformers is strongly governed by the breakdown voltage (BDV) of insulating oil. Conventional mineral oils face performance limitations under increasing electrical stress and compact transformer designs. In recent years, transformer oil nanofluids have emerged as promising alternatives due to their enhanced dielectric characteristics. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental investigation on the breakdown voltage behavior of transformer oil modified with ZnO nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles, and hybrid ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticle systems. All breakdown voltage measurements were conducted under IEC 60156 standard conditions using a 2.5 mm electrode gap. Experimental results demonstrate a significant enhancement in dielectric strength with nanoparticle addition. Among all investigated samples, hybrid ZnO–TiO2 nanofluids exhibited the highest BDV improvement, attributed to synergistic electron scavenging, interfacial polarization, and streamer suppression mechanisms. The findings confirm that hybrid nanofluids are promising candidates for next-generation transformer insulation systems.

 

Download paper from here

 

How to cite this paper?
DOI: 10.12732/ijam.v38i3.12
Source: International Journal of Applied Mathematics
ISSN printed version: 1311-1728
ISSN on-line version: 1314-8060
Year: 2025
Volume: 38
Issue: 3

References

[1] C. Olmo, I. F. (2018). Dielectric properties enhancement of vegetal transformer oil with TiO2, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles. Renewable Energy & Power Quality Journal , 623-627.

[2] DU Yue-fan, L. Y.-z.-q.-t.-x.-r. (2011). Effect of Ageing on Insulating Property of Mineral Oil-based TiO2 Nanofluids. 2011 IEEE International Conference on Dielectric Liquids (pp. 1-4). Beijing: IEEE.

[3] Elena V Timofeeva, W. Y. (2011). Nanofluids for heat transfer: an engineering approach. Nanoscale Research Letters , 1-7.

[4] Eman G. Atiya, D.-E. A. (2015). Dispersion Behavior and Breakdown Strength of Transformer Oil Filled with TiO2 Nanoparticles. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation , 2463-2472.

[5] Hadi Pourpasha, S. Z. (2023). The effect of TiO2 doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes synthesis on the thermophysical and heat transfer properties of transformer oil: A comprehensive experimental study. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering , 102607. International Journal of Applied Mathematics Volume 38 No. 3, 2025 ISSN: 1311-1728 (printed version); ISSN: 1314-8060 (on-line version) Received: August 05, 2025 463

[6] Hamza Babar, H. M. (2019). Towards hybrid nanofluids: Preparation, thermophysical properties, applications, and challenges. Journal of Molecular Liquids , 598-633.

[7] Hércules Bezerra Dias, M. I. (2018). Synthesis, characterization and application of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles in a composite resin. 96 (3).

[8] HU Zhi-feng, M. K.-b.-f.-r.-z. (2014). Thermal Aging Properties of Transformer Oil- Based Ti02 Nanofluids. International Conference on Liquid Dielectrics (pp. 1-4). Bled, Slovenia: IEEE.

[9] IEC. (2025). Insulating liquids – Determination of the breakdown voltage at power frequency – Test method. Geneva, Switzerland: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

[10] Ines Boticas, D. D. (2019). Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics based on ZnO nanoparticles functionalization. 1 (1376).

[11] J.A. Ranga Babu, K. K. (2017). State-of-art review on hybrid nanofluids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 551-565.

[12] Jacek Fal, O. M. (2018). Nanofluids in the Service of High Voltage Transformers: Breakdown Properties of Transformer Oils with Nanoparticles, a Review. Energies , 1-46.

[13] L. Syam Sundar, K. S. (2016). Hybrid nanofluids preparation, thermal properties, heat transfer and friction factor – A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 185-198.

[14] Lazarus Godson, B. R. (2010). Enhancement of heat transfer using nanofluids—An overview. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 629-641.

[15] M. Muneeshwaran, G. S.-C. (2021). Role of Hybrid - Nanofluid in Heat Transfer Enhancement - A review. 78 (2).

[16] Mojtaba Parvara, S. S. (2020). Experimental Study on the Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of a Transformer Oil - based Nanofluid Containing ZnO Nanoparticles. Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research , 77-84.

[17] Muhammad Usman Sajid, H. M. (2018). Thermal conductivity of hybrid nanofluids: A critical review. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer , 211-234.

[18] Rajesh Kumar, A. U. (2017). Antimicrobial properties of ZnO nanomaterials: A review. 43 (5).

[19] Soumen Dhara, P. G. (2011). Enhanced UV photosensitivity from rapid thermal annealed vertically aligned ZnO nanowires. 6 (504).

[20] Yuxiang Zhong, Y. L. (2013). Insulating Properties and Charge Characteristics of Natural Ester Fluid Modified by TiO2 Semiconductive Nanoparticles. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation , 135-140

 

IJAM

o                 Home

o                 Contents

o                 Editorial Board