Envirotemp FR3 Dielectric Fluid

Envirotemp FR3 fluid extends insulation life by a factor of as much as 5-8 times because it has the unique ability to draw out retained moisture and absorb water driven off by aging paper. It also helps prevent paper molecules from severing when exposed to heat. These properties can result in an increase of overloadability and/or longer transformer insulation life, resulting in both lower life cycle cost and delayed asset replacement.

Envirotemp FR3 Fluid’s Impact on People

As communities continue to grow, and people live in closer proximity to older, installed substation transformers, the need for safer and environmentally friendly emerging technologies is more critical than ever.

• The potential for catastrophic failure increases with the use of mineral oil as a dielectric fluid. Mineral oil, while exhibiting reliable dielectric properties, typically does not provide an adequate margin of fire safety during transformer failure. Fire resistant Envirotemp FR3 fluid offers a forward thinking, preventative approach that reduces long-term exposure to risk and potential damage to both people and surrounding structures.
• FR3 fluid’s increased fire safety margin makes proactively specifying substation transformers with FR3 fluid the preferred solution for mitigating transformer failure risks.
  Mineral oil, deluge systems, fire walls and spatial separation simply cannot provide the reduced risk exposure FR3 fluid does.
• FR3 fluid minimizes seasonal transformer risks associated with increased loading due to air conditioning and storm preparedness.
• With a fire point above 572ºF (300ºC), FR3 fluid virtually eliminates the likelihood of a pool fire and fire propagation.
  
• FM Global (Factory Mutual Insurance Company) recognizes the reduction of catastrophic risk by listing less flammable fluid filled transformers in their Loss Prevention Data Sheets.
• As a biodegradable, non-toxic dielectric fluid, FR3 fluid reduces the hazards associated with mineral oil in the event of a spill.
  

Envirotemp FR3 Fluid’s Impact on Planet

Because Envirotemp FR3 Fluid is derived from 100% seed oils, its environmental and health profile is unmatched by other dielectric coolants.

• FR3 fluid’s biodegradation rate meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria for the “Ultimate Biodegradability” classification.
• Non-toxic and readily biodegradable FR3 fluid received the first published EPA Environmental Technology Verification for transformer materials.
• Through a rigorous lifecycle analysis, FR3 fluid has been documented to be nearly carbon neutral, while mineral oil and alternative dielectric fluids release more green house gases into the environment.
• FR3 fluid reduces unnecessary exploration of mining and refining of raw materials.
• FR3 fluid has been proven to slow the aging rate of cellulose insulation. By relaxing current constraints defining load-ability, users can now specify 75º C (and higher) temperature rise transformers. This allows buying smaller transformers, using less non-renewable resources.
• FR3 fluid enables prolonged asset life, reducing the need for replacement materials.
• Retrofilling existing transformers with FR3 fluid provides immediate environmental benefits.
• Made from sustainable vegetable oils, FR3 fluid reduces our reliance on petroleum based mineral oil.

Envirotemp FR3 Fluid’s Impact on Profit

In terms of cost savings, Envirotemp FR3 fluid delivers. Reduced lifecycle costs and maintenance requirements help maximize savings over time.

• Petroleum based fluids leave companies more exposed to eventual failures and the resulting costs associated with repairing or replacing a fire damaged infrastructure. FR3 fluid offers a proactive solution.
• Adopters of modern bio-based fluids like FR3 fluid realize an increased return on their investment in a variety of ways. For instance, firms that reserve contingency funds for future liability—like remediation costs for soil spills—save money as the result of requiring a smaller liability fund.
• FR3 fluid saves on long term reactive costs including need for and maintenance of fire mitigation systems, emergency replacement costs, lost revenue associated with longer down-time and site remediation of oil vented during initial failure mode.
• FR3 fluid slows insulation aging by a factor of as much as eight times. This ultimately leads to longer transformer insulation life, which results in both lower lifecycle costs and delayed asset replacement.
• Increased loading capacity contributes to savings in both the initial investment and conservation of natural resources.
• FR3 fluid allows for the delivery of a more compact transformer, using reduced amounts of materials to meet specified requirements.