The Transformer Insulating
Oil Filtration Process
The dielectric properties of transformer oil (e.g., breakdown
voltage or dielectric loss factor) can be significantly
improved by degassing and the removal of water and moisture
from the oil.
Only clean and uncontaminated oil with the
correct specifications is suitable as the liquid insulation
for electric power transformers.
Often though, even new and unused transformer oil can be
considered unclean and unsafe for use in electric power
transformers as the oil can become contaminated during
transport from the oil producer to the transformer operator.
During the time the oil is being used in the transformer, it
will absorb moisture, dirt particles, fibers, soot and other
products of oil and transformer aging.
The transformer oil therefore, needs to undergo a
comprehensive filtering process. The filtering process must
be able to remove contaminants that includes solids, free and
dissolved water and dissolved gases.
The filtering process of transformer oil is a complex
procedure of removing the above described contaminants down to
acceptable levels. In recent studies, experts have revealed
that serious problems can occur when insulting oil makes
contact with moisture, flammable gases, and other transformer
decay products. In order to make the necessary correction,
the operator should regularly monitor the condition of the
insulating oils.
Companies that produce equipment for processing transformer
insulating oils, cover a wide range of services and products.
They include such things as machinery for filtering
transformer oil, insulation oil cleaners, cleaning systems for
lubricants, machines to filter hydraulic oil, regeneration
equipment for turbine oils and other industrial oil filtering
equipment.
In recent decades, there has become a
comprehensive network of high-tech enterprises that operate
around the world. They provide integrated systems and parts
for the implementation of the transformer oil filtering and
regeneration processes.
The transformer oil filtering process is a continuous
circulation of oil through purification units in a closed loop
system. The oil passes through several filters of both coarse
and fine filter mediums before the system further cleans the
oil through a
vacuum drying, degassing and adsorption
process.
The process is designed to remove dirt, sludge,
foreign particles, dissolved gas and other contaminants found
in the oil. Moreover, the filtering unit can continuously
analyze and control the oil at all stages of the purification
process.
All systems for filtering transformer oils should have certain
safety features built in such as liquid level detectors and
pressure sensors.
These safety features should be
incorporated into the design of the cleaning equipment. They
are needed in order to maintain the necessary level of oil
inside the transformer and to prevent oil spills
The design of filters and pumps should provide for a filtering
process, vacuum and degassing process that is powerful enough
to quickly and efficiently process oil, without affecting the
continued operation of electric power equipment. Assessment
of the effectiveness of the process is provided with tools for
monitoring flow rate.
GlobeCore does all of this and more! GlobeCore has a line of
oil processing equipment that has become the most popular and
cost effective equipment in the industry.
Take a look at
GlobeCore and see if your company can benefit from the
GlobeCore Process!
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Transfromer Oil Purification
Equipment by GlobeCore
Application
CMM systems designed and manufactured by GlobeCore can perform
the following functions: Degassing, dehydration and filtration
of transformer oil, cable oil, turbine oil, and other
industrial oils. The CMM units remove gases, free and soluble
water, and particulate matter from oils and fluids. The CMM
units are used in the installation, repair and operation of
oil-filled high voltage equipment up to 1150 kV (power
transformers, high-voltage switches etc.) as well as
industrial turbines.
The GlobeCore CMM units perform the following services:
Purifying and drying of Transformer Oil
Vacuum filling of Transformers and Electrical
apparatuses
Drying and Purifying of oil in transformers (on and offline)
Vacuum Drying of Transformers
Degassing of Transformer Insulating Oil
Filtration of Transformer Insulating Oil
Technical Description
GlobeCore CMM units are designed as multipurpose Transformer
Oil Conditioning units for field or factory use. The units
incorporate high capacity multi-stage electric oil heaters,
large capacity Vacuum Pumps with external connections for
Vacuum filling work, three (3) stage particulate filtration
systems, and connections for a large variety of service
applications.
The Unit’s measuring devices include vacuum, pressure, and
temperature meters.
The equipment can also be optionally
supplied with a “water-in-oil” measuring device. Installation
of a water-in-oil measuring device allows in-line monitoring
of water content.
Flow rates are variable from 0 to >10,000 liters per hour
(L/H) and heating from 24KW to 210 KW in four stages.
GlobeCore systems are designed for easy operation and
maintenance.
The principal functions of transformer insulating oils are to
serve as a dielectric medium and as a transformer coolant or
heat transfer medium. In order to perform these functions,
transformer oil must have the necessary qualities at the time
of initial impregnation and filling at the factory and later
be able to maintain the same quality in normal operation.
High Vacuum Treatment improves insulating fluids that includes
transformer oils and silicone fluids. GlobeCore transformer
oil purification equipment was developed as a result of 30
years of experience in vacuum treatment of transformer oils.
Benefit
Every company dealing with oil-insulated high voltage
equipment (transformers, high-voltage switches, turbines,
etc.), shares the problem of having to change and dispose of
contaminated oil and fluids.
The costs of changing and
disposing of insulating oils are frequently very high and need
a significant investment in time, labor, and money.
At
GlobeCore, our equipment offers a practical, proven and
economical method to purify oil so that it can be used again
and again for your high voltage equipment.
Thermally accelerated Vacuum Dehydration and Degassing of
Transformer Oil has gained wide acceptance as one of the most
economical methods for the removal of dissolved water and
gases.
On-Site Transformer Oil Purification is the most cost
effective transformer maintenance service in existence today.
The GlobeCore CMM units not only purify the oil within the
transformer, but actively regenerate the Transformer
Insulating System by removing impurities that had become built
up within the transformer over time.
Thermo-vacuum
purification
and
degassing
of
transformer
insulating oil, as performed by the GlobeCore Process, will
result in the improvement of the condition of the entire
insulating medium of your electric power transformers.
Here are some additional benefits of the GlobeCore Process:
Removal of dissolved moisture from transformer
insulating oil
Reduction of combustible gases and oxygen
Improvement of insulating oil dielectric values
Improvement of transformer insulating oil power factor
Extension of oil service life
Extension of transformer service life and reliability
We at GlobeCore are committed to provide our customers with
high quality products that satisfy technical and economic
objectives. We offer our vast experience in manufacturing,
servicing and operation of transformer oil purification
systems to your company.
Machines by GlobeCore come with a block of approved original
equipment spare parts.
These spare parts meet all
specifications required of the engineering process. Over the
years, optimal and high quality components have been carefully
selected for our equipment.
GlobeCore guarantees the
performance of our machines and the results of the oil
treatment processes. We have placed our equipment in more
than 70 countries around the world and a reference list
available upon request.
Short Process Description
Hot Filtration Mode
A gear type pump draws in the oil for processing via a valve
and a strainer.
Processed oil is then pumped through the
cartridge filter, the three-way valve and is then discharged
to the processed oil vessel via a connecting line.
The above mode is also used for transformer core drying.
Transformer oil is circulated through the oil purification
equipment. After filtering the oil to remove the particles,
the oil is heated up to max. temperature of 800C/1472F. All
residual gases are removed and the moisture is evaporated in
the vacuum degassing chamber. Residual moisture content can
be reduced down to less than 3 parts per million (ppm). Oil
purification is a necessary maintenance process for oil-filled
transformers and can be employed for removal of moisture from
the transformer’s core and solid insulation. Heating of the
transformer oil moves the moisture from paper to the oil and
allows for its removal from the transformer. The most common
mistake made by operators of transformer oil purification
equipment is to stop the drying process after reaching oil
moisture content of less than 5 ppm. After some time, when
normal transformer operation conditions exist, the moisture
content of the oil increases. It is essential to dry the
transformer oil continuously throughout a long period.
Transformer Evacuation
Another required process is the immediate evacuation of the
transformer after pumping the insulating oil out of the
transformer tank.
The “Vacuum Effect” on the insulation
surfaces greatly improves moisture content removal.
The
process must be repeated several times before the desired
effects will be achieved.
Hot Filtration and Thermo-Vacuum Drying
A gear type pump draws the oil in for processing via a
strainer and cartridge filter. It then directs the oil to the
heat exchanger where the oil is heated by the heat conductor.
The oil is then fed to the vacuum drier’s sprayer after being
heated to 60C/140F. The Vacuum Pump maintains vacuum in the
vacuum chamber. a Vacuum can be regulated by valve(s) and
monitored on the vacuum meter. Filtered hot air comes into
the chamber and removes gases and vapor from the oil’s surface
effectively drying the oil. The air is then discharged into
the atmosphere via an oil separator by the vacuum pump. A
gear type pump then directs the oil into the processed oil
vessel. A programmable thermal regulator switch monitors the
plant’s function continuously and maintains the pre-set
temperature.
See more video about transformer oil purification