Greetings, I am employed at a power generation facility and we are facing an issue related to the oil in a primary transformer. The transformer in question operates at 18/161kV and has a capacity of 400kVA. Approximately two months ago, the transformer's oil underwent purification and was put back into operation. Recently, we have observed a rise in hydrogen levels in the oil, reaching around 200 ppm, with a continuous increase. Additionally, there has been a noticeable uptick in CO and CO2 concentrations. Notably, there has been no rise in other combustible gas levels. According to findings from a chemical analysis, this phenomenon is known as "stray gassing," where hydrogen is released from the oil during heating. I have a few inquiries: 1. How long will the elevated hydrogen levels persist before stabilizing? 2. Will lowering the oil temperature result in reduced hydrogen levels, and if so, where does the released hydrogen go? The transformer is hermetically sealed. 3. I have come across information about using an "inhibitor" oil additive to mitigate the stray gassing issue. Can anyone provide details on this? Is it a recommended solution, and what specific compound is suggested? Thank you for your assistance.
Good morning Vyacheslav, I recommend investigating the cause of gas generation in the transformer. I understand that this may be a challenging task due to the complexities of examining the internal components. It is essential to identify the root cause in order to effectively address the issue. In the meantime, it might be necessary to temporize until the transformer can be taken offline for a thorough inspection. If you require assistance, I can connect you with a knowledgeable industry expert in transformer oil analysis. Please feel free to contact me at johan.vanrensburg@ammeglobal.com. Best regards, Johan.
Hello Johan, I appreciate your assistance. I need to rectify an error in my previous message - the correct power rating for the transformer is 400MVA, not 400kVA as previously stated.
It's clear that you've done some solid groundwork on this issue. "Stray gassing" is indeed a possible cause, especially if the oil is overheating or is of subpar quality. To answer your inquiries: 1. The duration for the hydrogen levels to stabilize can vary depending on the severity of the issue and the measures taken to address it; it's hard to give an exact timeline. 2. Lowering the oil temperature might indeed help reduce hydrogen production, as some studies suggest that stray gassing intensifies with higher temperatures. As for where the released hydrogen goes, in a hermetically sealed transformer, it generally stays within the transformer until it's released or removed during maintenance. 3. Using an inhibitor could be helpful in controlling the situation. Some types of inhibitor, like DBPC (Dibutyl-paracresol), are used to slow down the oxidation process in electrical insulating oils - reducing gas generation. However, it's important to consult with a transformer oil specialist or the transformer manufacturer before applying any additive. Of course, it's also crucial to ensure routine monitoring and maintenance to keep things under control.
The increase in hydrogen levels could potentially signify a serious problem. Stray gassing shouldn't continue indefinitely, so the levels should have stabilized by now. Given that the transformer is hermetically sealed, the released hydrogen gets trapped within the system and its constant increase could lead to potential risks, including explosion. As for cooling, it might help to an extent, but it isn't a long-term solution. The "inhibitor" oil additive that you mentioned is often a type of passivator which helps curb the problem, but do note that it's more of a band-aid rather than a cure. I strongly recommend getting a thorough inspection done and involving a transformer oil expert. It might also be useful to check transformer loading to be sure it isn't being overutilized, thus causing overheating.
Hello, it seems like you're dealing with a challenging issue. Your hydrogen levels are indeed unusually high. Generally, these levels should stabilize over time, though the exact period can range from a few weeks to several months, and this is highly dependent on a multitude of factors including your setup, operational conditions and maintenance routines. As for your second question, cooling your oil indeed might reduce the hydrolysis rate, hence lowering hydrogen levels. Finally, "inhibitors" do exist as a solution. They work by curtailing the breakdown of the oil at high operation temperatures - commonly, DBPC (Dibutyl Paracresol) is suggested. However, prior to making any changes, I'd strongly recommend involving a transformer oil testing lab to inspect your oil samples. This can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and a tailored solution to your problem. Always best to consult the experts!
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Answer: Answer: The duration for hydrogen levels to stabilize can vary depending on factors such as the transformer's operating conditions, oil temperature, and the presence of any underlying issues. Continuous monitoring and analysis are recommended to track the stabilization process.
Answer: Answer: Lowering the oil temperature can potentially reduce hydrogen levels as it may slow down the release of hydrogen from the oil. The released hydrogen typically remains within the sealed transformer system.
Answer: Answer: An inhibitor oil additive is a compound introduced into the transformer oil to help reduce the release of hydrogen during heating, hence mitigating stray gassing. The specific compound and its effectiveness may vary, and consulting with experts or manufacturers for recommended solutions is advisable.
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