FR3^® natural ester dielectric fluid: Leading the way

Grid resiliency that pays in more ways than one

A transformer’s solid insulation system and its dielectric fluid constrain its (temperature) operating limits. Because of FR3 fluid’s properties, transformers containing this natural ester can operate up to 20°C warmer than can mineral-oil-filled equivalents—enabling increased loading capability by up to 20% (or even more in some cases). When a transformer is designed to use FR3 fluid, this increased capacity may be even higher. Not only can FR3 fluid help you respond to fluctuating power demand, it won’t accelerate asset aging and may extend transformer life.

Learn More

Superior performance from moisture tolerance

Intruding moisture (such as from a leak), “free” water in insulating fluid (as in cold-temperature environments), or water released from aging insulation paper can drop capacity and cause dielectric failure in mineral-oil-filled transformers. With a much higher saturation point (compared to transformer mineral oil), FR3 fluid will rarely cause transformer failure due to moisture. In fact, its unique chemical properties, and the fact that that, during hydrolysis, FR3 fluid actually absorbs free water, slows the aging process of a transformer’s solid insulation.

Learn More

Dramatically improved fire safety

While transformer pool fires may seem rare, they occur much more frequently than you might know. And when they do occur, the consequences can be catastrophic, even involving casualties. With significantly higher flash and fire points than transformer mineral oil—over twice as high—FR3 natural ester fluid keeps equipment and people safer when it comes to transformer fires. In fact, over decades of use in millions of transformers worldwide, there have been ZERO reported pool fires in transformers filled with FR3 fluid.

Learn More

The best-in-class environmental properties, hands down

Mineral oil spills can have devastating effects on the natural environment—animals, plants, water, and people included. Unlike mineral oil, FR3 fluid is nontoxic in water and soil, is nonhazardous, and it quickly and thoroughly biodegrades.1 These factors result in simpler spill remediation efforts—making FR3 fluid incontestably better than transformer mineral oil for the earth, communities, and your budget, not to mention your business’s reputation.

Learn More

Delivering business value

There are a number of different critical reasons why partnering with Cargill and using FR3 fluid instead of mineral oil is good for business, including increased grid reliability and resilience, better cost management with a more effective transformer system, and minimized environmental impact.

Find more about how using FR3 fluid throughout your transformer fleet can deliver significant business value, while serving communities reliably and effectively.

Learn More