Electromagnetic Characterization of Magnetic Nanofluid

M. A. Sens*, E. Ueti*, F. A. Filho*, C. F. T. Matt*, A. Polasek*, J. G. M. Furtado*, L. A. F. da Silva*,

V. G. Guedes*, W. F. Lima*, R. W. S. Garcia*
*
Eletrobras Cepel – Electric Energy Research Center
ueti@cepel.br

Abstract — This paper describes a methodology developed by
Eletrobras Cepel Laboratories for electromagnetic
characterization of Magnetic Nanofluid (MNF). The magnetic
nanofluid was obtained from addition of magnetite nanoparticles
in mineral insulating oil in various concentrations. Electrical and
magnetic properties of the MNF were measured as a function of
temperature, frequency and nanoparticles concentration. The
results are presented and discussed, showing the effectiveness of
the proposed characterization methodology, as well as the
promising results on electric insulation properties of the MNF.
Index Terms — Characterization, electromagnetic property,
magnetic nanofluid, dielectric property, heat transfer.
I. INTRODUCTION
Nanofluids are stable solid-liquid suspension in which
liquid is the continuous phase and the dispersed phase consists
of nanoparticles with dimensions smaller than 100 nm.
A promising nanofluid application technology in the power
sector is the addition of nanoparticles into insulating oil of
transformers to improve their dielectric and heat transfer
properties. This could drive to designs of lighter and more
compact transformers, besides load current increasing. Further
details on the potential applications of nanofluids can be found
convection between itself and solid surfaces in contact,
because of the thermomagnetic convection [3].
The MNF under consideration was obtained from addition
of magnetite nanoparticles less than 10 nm, in mineral
insulating oil AV60, a naphthenic base oil, in various ponderal
concentrations up to 3 % (w/w).
A glass sample holder was built in toroidal form, with
internal diameter of 67.5 mm and volume capacity about
70 mA. A copper coil with 180 turns was rolled over the
toroidal shape for MNF electromagnetic characterization,
illustrated in Fig. 1.
Electrical parameters were measured, utilizing a RLC
bridge Wayne Kerr 3245, from 20 Hz to 100 kHz and applied
voltage from 1 to 5 V, to determination of the dielectric
constant (εr), dissipation factor (D), and magnetic
susceptibility (χm), as a function of temperature (10 to 95 ºC)
and MNF concentration (0.07 to 3 %) in the samples.
Standardized IEC 156 breakdown voltage test and
ASTM D 924 dielectric constant and dissipation factor of
electrical insulating liquids were also performed to the MNF
samples in order to check its dielectric integrity.
φ 1"

in reference [1] - [2].

For application in electrical power transformers, where the
main components are subject to strong electromagnetic fields,
φ 235 mm

improvements in the heat transfer properties, although

significant, does not guarantee the applicability of nanofluids
because the addition of nanoparticles can compromise the
dielectric properties of the oil.
The objective of this paper is to present a methodology φ 67,5 mm

developed by Eletrobras Cepel – Fundão Laboratories

Department, for electromagnetic characterization of a special
class of nanofluids, called magnetic nanofluid (MNF) or
ferrofluid applicable to electrical transformers.

II. MNF ELECTROMAGNETIC CHARACTERIZATION

Magnetic nanofluids (MNF) are formed by ferromagnetic or
ferrimagnetic nanoparticles (such as, for example, magnetite
and hematite) dispersed in polar or non-polar liquid which are
characterized by their magnetization in the presence of
external magnetic field. Theoretical and experimental results Fig. 1. Glass sample holder and accessories, dielectric test set and
indicate that the magnetization of an electrically non- standard cells to electromagnetic characterization of MNF in
conductive fluid promotes intensification of heat exchange by electrical power transformer oil.
 III. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS IV. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Various concentrations samples of MNF in mineral Based on the experimental results, it can be said that the
insulating oil were tested and the most significant results are application of MNF in electrical transformers is promising. A
shown in Table 1 below and in the following Figures. sample with 0.3 % MNF concentration showed just 4 %
decreasing in dielectric breakdown voltage in comparison with
Table 1. Electromagnetic characterization at 1,000 Hz and 23 ºC. mineral insulating oil AV60, widely and safely utilized by the
major transformers manufacturers around the world. In
Electrical Samples
references [4] - [6] the authors found that the addition of
parameters AV60 0.3 % MNF in AV60
nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4 ) to the mineral insulating
Dielectric constant - εr 2.13 2.18
oil increases its dielectric strength under alternating current,
Dissipation factor - D (%) < 0.01 1.32
Magnetic susceptibility - χ (%) 0.00 0.03
and also increases the convection heat transfer efficiency
Dielectric strength (kV) 99.4 95.4 inside small transformers.
Electromagnetic characterization at 1 kHz and 23 ºC
0.35 presented in Table 1 shows no significant variation for
Magnetic Nanofluid - MNF
Magnetic Susceptibility - χ (%)

0.315
0.30 in mineral insulating oil
dielectric constant and more than hundred times increasing in
the dissipation factor (Fig. 3), to the sample 0.3 % MNF
0.25
concentration, compared to pure mineral insulating oil AV60.
0.20 0.185
1000 Hz Magnetic susceptibility was very well correlated with the
0.15
23 ºC 0.115
concentration (w/w) of MNF in mineral insulating oil AV60.
0.10 According Fig. 2, the magnetic susceptibility is practically the
0.05 0.030
tenth part of the MNF concentration in mineral oil AV60.
0.008 0.015
0.00
0.000 Magnetic susceptibility of the sample 3 % MNF concentration
0 0.07 0.15 0.3 1.5 2 3 as a function of temperature, showed a 22 % decreasing in
M.A.Sens-3/5/2013 11:58:3 Concentration of MNF in mineral insulating oil (%)
Susceptibility.xls magnetic susceptibility at 90 ºC compared to the magnetic
Fig. 2. Magnetic susceptibility (%) as a function of MNF susceptibility in ambient temperature, as seen in Fig.4.
concentration in mineral insulating oil AV60. Based on the investigated bibliography, it was found that
information concerning the synthesis of ferrofluids for use in
1.4 transformers is incomplete and information relating to trials
Magnetic Nanofluid in mineral insulating oil AV60
Dissipation Factor - D (%)

1.2 1.32 for evaluation of their dielectric properties is quite rare. For
1000 Hz
1.0
these reasons, major research efforts are necessary to ensure
23 ºC that, in fact, its use in electrical transformers is feasible.
0.8

0.6 0.67

0.4
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0.0
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MagneticNanoFluid.xls
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