Natural ester filled transformers
Together towards a greener future
Westrafo and Cargill
Westrafo and Cargill: two companies with a great history of know-how, product research and technological advancement.
Two businesses who have understood that a great company is not about just selling products, but about making other companies (customers, partners, suppliers) and other people thrive through the work we do.
Our natural affinity on these aspects is what has made our partnership possible: a joint commitment to develop products and services aimed to not only answer to market demand, but to build a better tomorrow.
The cooperation between Cargill and Westrafo flows through FR3™ fluid, Cargill’s natural ester derived from renewable vegetable oil, which has unlocked new potential for technical advancement.
Thanks to its unique characteristics, FR3 fluid allow us to expand and improve the performance standards of our transformers.
FR3 liquid is designed to work in synergy with the transformer to deliver 6 key benefits.
Optimized transformer performance and grid reliabilty:
FR3 fluid has the ability to extend the life of insulation paper 5-8 times that of mineral oil transformers, improving grid reliability and reducing maintenance costs.
- FR3 fluid has 10x the water saturation of mineral oil.
- The natural ester does not generate sludge like mineral oil, thus maintaining its dielectric strength and improving transformer reliability.
- Simplified oil containment.
Increased load capacity due to high temperature capability:
EXTRA POWER DUE TO THERMAL OPTIMIZATIONThe sustainable peak load (SPL) transformer concept allows utilities and users to:
- OPTION 1: Extend asset life at current 110˚C hotspot.
- OPTION 2: Increase load capability up to 20% with 130°C hotspot.
- OPTION 3: Incrementally extend asset life and increase load capability with 120°C hotspot.
Thermally Upgraded Kraft Paper
(TUK or TUP) life curve
Reduced cost of total ownership:
Thanks to the increased loadability of optimized Westrafo SPL transformers, a utility can save as much as 20% of total ownership cost, due to the reduction of the No-Load Losses, reducing the total dissipated energy during one year.
SPL transformers are more efficient than cast resin transformers up to the 75% of load, and more efficient than oil immersed transformers up to the 25% of load, enabling better resistance to load peaks and warming.
Moreover, choosing an SPL distribution transformer can result in a consistent rationalization of reduced costs when considering: total ownership, maintenance operations, space & logistics, spill remediation, deluge system, fire prevention.
Compact design:
Thanks to the SPL concept, utilities will be able to install transformers that better match actual grid load, obtaining fleet performance and cost flexibility with right sized transformers.
Transformers can have the same load capability with a smaller footprint, without raising concerns about the life of the transformer.
An SPL transformer does not need supplementary oil collection basins and can typically be installed with less clearing space.
Transformer key figures, comparing a mineral oil transformer with the smaller nominal rating SPL transformer.
Increased safety for people and the planet:
FR3 fluid is non-toxic, based on Acute Oral Toxicity (OECD 420) and Acute Aquatic Toxicity (OECD 201 to 203) tests In addition, FR3 fluid is readily biodegradable.
Increased fire safety:
FR3 fluid has the highest fire point of all K-class fluids, reaching over 360C without catching fire.
It can reduce expensive deluge systems for fire walls related to power transformer installations.
As a UL Classified and FM Global Approved less-flammable fluid, transformers containing FR3™ fluid can be installed closer to buildings which is useful in space constrained areas or retrofill applications.
