Nanofluid-enhanced vegetable oil blends: a sustainable approach to breakthroughs in dielectric liquid insulation for electrical systems

With a focus on the development of sustainable alternate solutions for liquid insulation, this research focuses on the enhancement of biomass material. Emphasizing technical and sustainable challenges in traditional liquid insulation, the study addresses the pressing need for breakthroughs in dielectric liquid insulation. Motivated by the imperative for high-performing and sustainable insulating qualities, the research is dedicated to developing nanofluids by blending coconut kernel oil (CKO), palm kernel oil (PKO), and sunflower seed oil (SSO) with traditional transformer oil in a 70:30 ratio. To improve dielectric performance, oil samples undergo a systematic analysis with silica (SiO₂), titania (TiO₂), and zincite (ZnO) nanoparticles at varying mass fraction weights (0.04, 0.08, and 0.1 g/L). Findings reveal that higher nanoparticle concentrations lead to superior dielectric performance, especially in sunflower oil-infused nanofluids. These insights offer solutions for traditional liquid insulation challenges and deepen our understanding of interactions between vegetable oils and nanoparticle features. Methodical Taguchi and regression analyses are essential for comprehensively analyzing breakdown voltage characteristics across the samples. Data produced by these analyses is crucial for developing reliable prediction models, and establishing a robust foundation for effective and environmentally friendly dielectric liquid insulation systems, thus contributing significantly to the long-term progress of electrical insulation technology.