Journals Information
Bioengineering and Bioscience(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 4(2), pp. 24 - 28
DOI: 10.13189/bb.2016.040203
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Microbial Contamination of Electrical Power Transformer Oil Obtained from Onitsha, Nigeria
Onuorah Samuel 1,*, Orji Michael 1, Obika Ifeanyi 2
1 Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
2 Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Microbial contamination of in-use and unused electrical power transformer oils obtained from Onitsha, Nigeria was studied using cultural techniques. The average bacterial and fungal counts of the in-use oil were 1.2 x 102 cfu/ml and 0.7 x 102 cfu/ml respectively while the mean bacterial and fungal counts of the unused oil were 0.5 x 102 cfu/ml and 0.3 x 102 cfu/ml respectively. The microorganisms from the in-use oil were Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Corynebacterium bovis, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Mucor pusillus while those from the unused oil were Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella aerogenes and Aspergillus fumigatus. Bacillus subtilis occurred most frequently in both oils. The PH of the medium decreased to the acidic level while there was an increase in the viable counts, indicating the utilization of the transformer oils by the isolates. These isolates may cause the deterioration in the oils quality leading to the failure of the transformer with its attendant economic losses. Regular inspection and maintenance of the transformer as well as periodic changing of its oil is recommended to curb the economic losses.
KEYWORDS
Microorganisms, Contamination, Transformer, Oil, Nigeria
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Onuorah Samuel , Orji Michael , Obika Ifeanyi , "Microbial Contamination of Electrical Power Transformer Oil Obtained from Onitsha, Nigeria," Bioengineering and Bioscience(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 24 - 28, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/bb.2016.040203.
(b). APA Format:
Onuorah Samuel , Orji Michael , Obika Ifeanyi (2016). Microbial Contamination of Electrical Power Transformer Oil Obtained from Onitsha, Nigeria. Bioengineering and Bioscience(CEASE PUBLICATION), 4(2), 24 - 28. DOI: 10.13189/bb.2016.040203.