Regeneration Of Degraded Transformer Oil Using Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon As Adsorbent
Ifeanyichukwu Edeh
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
Udokwu Victor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
Brume Joseph Egere
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
Keywords: Transformer oil, regeneration, palm kernel shell, activated carbon, adsorbent, sustainability
Abstract
Transformer oil plays a critical role in insulation and cooling within power transformers, but degradation due to thermal, chemical, and electrical stresses reduces its efficiency and reliability. Conventional adsorbents such as fuller’s earth and activated alumina are expensive and non-renewable, prompting the investigation of sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the regeneration of degraded transformer oil using palm kernel shell synthesized adsorbent. The ground palm kernel shell was chemically activated with sodium bicarbonate, and carbonized at 800 °C. The performance of the regeneration process was assessed at varied temperature (60, 80 and 100 oC) at constant time of 30 min, and contact time (30, 45 and 60 min) at constant temperature of 80 oC. The results show that the synthesized adsorbent exhibited desired properties including neutral pH (7.0), low moisture content (1.139 %), moderate ash content (20.42 %), and high pore volume (0.537 cm³). The results show that the optimal regeneration condition of 80 oC and contact time of 60 min resulted to a dielectric breakdown voltage of 24.0 kV, total acid number of 2.24 mgKOH/g and viscosity of 9.64 cP. With these results, 46.78 % dielectric breakdown voltage, 46.78 % total acid number, and 13 % viscosity recovery, respectively of the degraded transformer oil were achieved. The results demonstrate that palm kernel shells synthesized adsorbent provides an efficient, potential cheap, and environmentally friendly solution for transformer oil regeneration, while promoting sustainable waste utilization.