VACUUM OIL FILLING - DEGASSING DEHYDRATING

TSI has been providing vacuum oil filling services to large power transformers since
1960. The equipment was designed and assembled by TSI's personnel to be selfsufficient and capable of performing in all voltage ranges, including test transformers
rated at 1,500,000 volts.
This unique system electronically measures the amount of vacuum being drawn on the
transformer tank and on the oil dehydration chamber. Once transformer vacuum has
been maintained for the required amount of time, the oil filling procedure begins. The
oil first goes through a five-micron particle filter, a heat exchanger to raise the oil
temperature to the desired level, and then is sent into the vacuum
degassing/dehydration chamber. Here, the hot oils surface area is greatly increased by
special elements within the chamber, which allows the high vacuum being applied to
the chamber to remove moisture and unwanted gasses. The oil then flows through a
one-micron filter and is pumped into the transformer, which is still under high vacuum
to assure additional dryness of the oil and internal transformer components. All
piping, connections, and hoses are kept under positive pressure from the discharge
side of the dehydration chamber through to the transformer tank oil hose connection
to eliminate the possibility of moisture entry. TSI can also provide a cold trap for
vacuum fills or for dry-outs under vacuum.
During the oil filling procedure, the incoming and outgoing oil is periodically
monitored for moisture content and dielectric. On-site Power Factor tests can also be
performed if requested in advance, as well as test for interfacial tension (IFT) and
acidity.
The vacuum fill unit has an oil handling capacity, depending on the desired oil
temperature, of up to 1800 GPH, and will process oil at values which meet or exceed
all transformer manufacturing specifications (see reverse for chart).
The same equipment is also used to dehydrate and degas the oil in transformers that
have been in service. In the case of moisture, oil and paper insulation can frequently
become wet due to headspace leaks to the atmosphere. Cooling/heating cycles cause
transformers to "breathe" through the leak, allowing moisture to enter the headspace
and gradually be absorbed. TSI's hot oil dehydration equipment effectively removes
all but traces of this dissolved water. Results are normally less than 10 ppm residual
moisture in the oil, but can go lower if desired. A complete typewritten report is

prepared and mailed to the customer showing vacuum readings, moisture results, and
dielectrics by selected hours from the start of the process to completion.
Combustible gas caused by minor faults within the transformer, such as overheating or
arcing at a loose connection, corona discharges, lightning, etc., can easily be removed
by this equipment. Oil samples are taken after processing and are returned to our
laboratory for Dissolved Gas-In-Oil Analysis. These results then serve as the
benchmark for which future results are compared against to determine the internal
condition of the transformer.
FIELD TESTS AND TEST
METHODS

TYPICAL VALUES

FIELD TESTS AND TEST

METHODS

DIELECTRIC STRENGTH
(ASTMD877 & D1816*)

40-50kV

MOISTURE CONTENT
(DOBLE DOMINO 264)

<10ppm

VACUUM (ELECTRONIC
GAUGE)

.20 - 1.0mm

INTERFACIAL TENSION*
(ASTMD2285)

**

NEUTRALIZATION
NO.*(ASTMD974)

**

LABORATORY
TESTS ANDTEST
METHODS

TYPICAL VALUES

LABORATORY
TESTS ANDTEST
METHODS

MOISTURE CONTENT
(ASTMD1533)

<15ppm

DISSOLVED GAS-IN-OIL*
(ASTMD3612)

<500ppm TCG

POWER FACTOR @ 100oC

(ASTMD924)

<.40% @ 100oC

PCB CONTENT
(ASTMD4059)

**

* DENOTES OPTIONAL TESTS - TO BE PERFORMED AT CUSTOMER'S

REQUEST, WITH PRIOR NOTICE

TYPICAL VALU

TYPICAL VALU

** THESE TEST VALUES AREDEPENDENT ON

INITIAL OILCONDITIONS ANDWILL NOT CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY
AFTER TREATMENT
The following is a list of the equipment TSI uses for its vacuum oil filling and
degassing/dehydration services:
VACUUM PUMPS: Leybold Heraeus 165 CFM Mechanical Pump, 710 CFM
Blower. Capable of vacuum to less than 100 microns, absolute pressure.
HEAT: Provided by two oil fired boilers with heat exchanger providing over one
million BTU's.
INTAKE AND DISCHARGE OIL FILTERS
EXPANDED SURFACE AREA VACUUM CHAMBER
TEMPERATURE GAUGES AND SAFETY CONTROLS FOR OIL LINES
OILFLOWMETER ON DISCHARGE LINE
ELECTRONIC VACUUM METER With probe hookups for
transformer,vacuum pumps, and vacuum chamber.
OIL SAMPLE TAPS On intake and discharge oil lines.
ELECTRICAL POWER: Diesel engine powered 30 kW generator.
HIPOTRONICS DIELECTRIC TESTER Using Flat disk or VDE cell set at .04
gap, tests to 60 kV automatically.
DOBLE DOMINOTMMODEL 264 moisture analysis
ALL HOSES AND FITTINGS NECESSARY FOR
VACUUM AND OIL LINE CONNECTIONS.