Transformer oil regeneration plant types

A Transformer Oil Regeneration Plant is designed to restore used transformer oil to its original or near-original quality by removing contaminants like moisture, particulate matter, gases, and sludge. There are different types of regeneration plants, each using specific techniques to achieve oil purification and improve its dielectric properties. The choice of plant depends on the degree of contamination, the volume of oil to be treated, and the desired regeneration results.

Here are the main types of transformer oil regeneration plants:

1. Vacuum Dehydration Oil Regeneration Plant

• Process: Uses a vacuum environment to remove moisture (both free and dissolved) and gases from transformer oil. The vacuum lowers the boiling point of water and allows it to evaporate at lower temperatures, which is then separated from the oil.
• Main Features:
  • Removes moisture, dissolved gases, and air.
  • Preserves the chemical stability of the oil by avoiding high-temperature degradation.
  • Typically includes filtration to remove particulate matter.
• Advantages:
  • Highly effective in moisture removal.
  • Suitable for oil that has absorbed significant amounts of water or dissolved gases.
  • Helps restore the dielectric strength of the oil.
• Applications: Mostly used for transformers where moisture is the primary contaminant.

2. Clay Treatment (Activated Clay Filtration) Plant

• Process: Uses activated clay (also known as Fuller’s earth) to absorb contaminants such as acids, carbon, and sludge from the oil. The oil is passed through a bed of activated clay that adsorbs these impurities.
• Main Features:
  • Removes acids (which lower the oil’s pH and cause oxidation) and sludge (from oil degradation).
  • Regenerates the oil by improving its acidity and reducing sludge formation.
  • The oil can be purified without heating or vacuum, although sometimes heat is applied to assist in the regeneration.
• Advantages:
  • Effective for oils with high acidity or those that have undergone oxidation.
  • Can improve the color and odor of the oil.
  • Simple, cost-effective method for moderate oil regeneration.
• Applications: Commonly used for oils with oxidation byproducts or those contaminated with sludge.

3. Full-Scale Vacuum Oil Purification and Regeneration Plant

• Process: Combines vacuum dehydration, de-gassing, and filtration in a single system. This type of plant is highly efficient and is capable of purifying oil on a continuous basis, regenerating the oil in several stages.
• Main Features:
  • Vacuum dehydration removes water and gases.
  • Filtration removes solid contaminants (particulates, sludge).
  • High-efficiency degassing removes dissolved gases like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide.
  • The oil may be passed through a polishing filter for finer filtration.
• Advantages:
  • Offers comprehensive regeneration by removing water, gases, and solid particulates.
  • Effective for regenerating oil that is contaminated with multiple types of impurities.
  • Can process large volumes of oil continuously.
• Applications: Ideal for industrial-scale operations where large volumes of oil need to be treated, such as in power plants or large electrical grids.

4. Electrostatic Oil Purification and Regeneration Plant

• Process: Uses an electrostatic field to remove both water and solid contaminants from transformer oil. Electrostatic forces separate the water droplets and particulates from the oil, which are then collected in a separator.
• Main Features:
  • Electrostatic separation targets both water and particulates, improving oil quality.
  • Requires high-voltage electrical fields to induce the separation process.
  • Works on both free water and fine particulates.
• Advantages:
  • Removes water and solid particles more efficiently than traditional filtration.
  • Suitable for older oils that have significant water and particulate contamination.
  • Can restore oil viscosity and improve overall oil quality.
• Applications: Used in cases where both water and solid contaminants are the primary issues. Often used in combination with other methods.

5. Molecular Sieve (Zeolite) Oil Regeneration Plant

• Process: Molecular sieves (typically zeolite) are used to adsorb both moisture and dissolved gases from transformer oil. The sieves have tiny pores that selectively adsorb molecules like water and gases, leaving the oil free of these contaminants.
• Main Features:
  • Molecular sieves absorb moisture and gases from oil.
  • Highly effective in de-gassing and moisture removal.
  • Often used after vacuum or filtration processes for final oil purification.
• Advantages:
  • Very effective for low moisture and gas content oils.
  • Can restore the dielectric properties of oil contaminated by gases and moisture.
  • High regeneration capacity with the potential for multiple reuses of the sieve material.
• Applications: Often used for oil that has dissolved gases or slight moisture content, especially after vacuum or filtration treatments.

6. High-Temperature Oil Regeneration Plant

• Process: This plant uses high temperatures (around 100°C-120°C) to break down sludge, oxidation products, and contaminants within the oil. After heating, the oil is typically passed through a vacuum to remove moisture and gases, followed by filtration to remove solid contaminants.
• Main Features:
  • Thermal treatment to break down sludge and oxidation byproducts.
  • High temperature followed by vacuum treatment to remove water and gases.
  • Typically followed by filtration for further purification.
• Advantages:
  • Effective for oils that have heavily degraded and formed sludge or carbon.
  • Can regenerate heavily oxidized oils, returning them to usable quality.
  • Often restores the oil to near-new quality.
• Applications: Ideal for oils that have been extensively used and have accumulated high levels of oxidation products and sludge.

7. Combination Regeneration Plants

• Process: A combination of multiple regeneration methods, such as vacuum dehydration, clay treatment, and electrostatic purification, can be used in a single plant for multi-stage purification.
• Main Features:
  • Integrates different purification methods (e.g., vacuum, electrostatic, and filtration) in one system.
  • May use molecular sieves for final polishing or to remove remaining moisture and gases.
• Advantages:
  • Highly effective for severe contamination with water, sludge, particulate matter, and gases.
  • Flexibility for handling various oil types and contamination levels.
  • Comprehensive oil regeneration in a single system.
• Applications: Suitable for power plants, large industrial applications, and continuous regeneration of transformer oils in high-demand environments.

Summary of Key Regeneration Plant Types:

• Vacuum Dehydration: Best for removing moisture and gases.
• Clay Treatment: Ideal for oils with high acidity or sludge.
• Full-Scale Vacuum Regeneration: Offers comprehensive treatment, ideal for large-scale oil purification.
• Electrostatic Purification: Efficient for both particulate matter and moisture removal.
• Molecular Sieve: Best for final treatment of moisture and dissolved gases.
• High-Temperature Regeneration: Effective for heavily oxidized and contaminated oil.
• Combination Plants: Use multiple regeneration methods for thorough oil restoration.

Choosing the Right Regeneration Plant:

The right plant for your needs depends on:

• The level and type of contamination (moisture, gases, sludge, particulates).
• The volume of oil to be regenerated.
• The degree of oil degradation (e.g., oxidation, acidity).
• The budget and desired regeneration speed.

Would you like to know about specific manufacturers or suppliers of transformer oil regeneration plants?