Abstract: A novel capacitive sensor, which can detect 2-Furfuraldehyde (2-FAL, C5H4O2, in ppm order) in transformer oil, is developed. No such sensor is reported earlier in the literature. The 2-FAL is released in transformer oil with the ageing of the transformer and is a promising indicator for remaining useful life of the solid insulation. The sensor is fabricated by coating a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on a copper electrode. The MIP coating has the template of 2-FAL molecules. On testing, the 2-FAL molecules in transformer oil are adsorbed on the templates, which results in a change in capacitance of the sensor. The sensor is tested in the range of 1-20 ppm for measuring 2-FAL concentration and shows an average sensitivity of 0.084 pF/ppm. The sensors are fabricated in different months (batches), and average capacitance values for different oil sample are presented. The sensor reliability is analysed using statistical analysis and repeatability study that shows repeatable results consistently
Template and target information: 2-furfuraldehyde, 2-FAL
Author keywords: Oils, Oil insulation, Capacitive sensors, Power transformer insulation, Strips, capacitive sensor, 2-FAL (furfuraldehyde), molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)