Oil regeneration system and preventive maintenance

The increasing demand for electricity has taken a toll ontransformers which are burdened with stress and overheating and result inbreakdowns. The significance of maintaining the transformerinsulating oil in good condition and mitigating oildeterioration has been widely acknowledged in the industry. 

Ageing of transformers have received increased focus in therecent past, owing to their relation with oil deterioration and oilregeneration system of transformerinsulating oil. 

When oil and paper, the two main players of insulation, age,they produce acids and moisture. Such by products must be identified andremoved so that ageing is controlled and longevity is enhanced. 

Besides, measuring these byproducts reveal intensity of theageing process. Acidity and humidity of the paper enlightens about the ageingthat the cellulose insulation went through. 

The physical, chemical and functional attributes of transformerinsulating oil receives a beating when the oil is subjected to hightemperatures, oxidation and contact with moisture. Such oildeterioration is however treated with oilregeneration system which not only protects the oil, but also restores theoriginal quality and makes it as good as new. 

Oil purification and oil regeneration restores quality in transformerinsulating oil. While the former is done in earlier stages of oildeterioration, the latter is complex and not only removes impurities butalso solves impurities like sludge and acids. Thus lifespan of the transformerinsulating oil is extended. 

When put through high voltages, water drops occur in the oiland such moisture content affects the dielectric strength of the transformerinsulating oil and goes through arcing which increases carbon formation. Insuch oildeterioration, the insulating fluid becomes corrosive and damages the metalparts of the equipment. 

Moisture is an important cause of oildeterioration. The moisture is either small droplets (emulsion) or settledas water in the bottom (demulsified water). The water settled in the bottom isremoved by employing centrifugal treatment which also requires vacuumdehydration. 

When the dissolved water gets accumulated in the paperinsulation, the insulating properties are severely affected. Removing watercontent from the paper is a tedious process which involves drying out with heatand vacuum. 

The moisture also speeds up the degradation of the cellulosematerial and accentuates oxidation. The chemical reactions result inpolarization of oil molecules and end up as sludge formation. 

Oxidation must be averted as much possible because oxygenreacts with inner parts of the transformer. The gaskets and seals of theapparatus need regular maintenance. 

Single use Fullers Earth regeneration and multiple usereactivation regeneration are two methods employed to combat oildeterioration. 

The transformerinsulating oil is strained, heated and filtered before it goes throughseries of columns which comprise the regeneration system. Oil purificationinvolves dehydration and degasification and the quality of the transformerinsulating oil thus reaches an eligible and as good as new status. 

On a concluding note, regeneration system of transformerinsulating oil and minimizing oildeterioration cannot be afforded to be taken in a lighter note. Besidesmaintenance of transformerinsulating oil avoids repairs and adds to the profit accounts.   

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