Transformer oil purification is a critical process for maintaining the performance and longevity of electrical transformers. Several machines and systems are designed to purify transformer oil by removing contaminants such as water, particulate matter, gases, and other impurities. Below are some of the main types of machines used for transformer oil purification:
1. Vacuum Dehydration and Degassing Units
- Function: These units are designed to remove both free and dissolved water, as well as gases (such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide), from transformer oil. They work by applying a vacuum to the oil, lowering the boiling point of the water and enabling it to evaporate and be separated from the oil.
- Key Features:
- High-efficiency water removal.
- Degassing to remove dissolved gases.
- Suitable for oils with high moisture content.
- Popular Models:
- Hydraulic Oil Dehydrators from companies like CJC and Des-Case.
- Vacuum Oil Purifiers from Gulf Oil and Kleen-Oil.
2. Clay Filtration Units
- Function: These units use adsorbent materials like Fuller’s Earth or activated clay to remove impurities such as sludge, carbon particles, and oxidation byproducts. Clay filtration improves the color and dielectric strength of the oil.
- Key Features:
- Removes oxidation products, acids, and particulate matter.
- Enhances oil quality and extends the oil’s service life.
- Can also remove varnish and other solid contaminants.
- Popular Models:
- Fuller’s Earth Filtration Systems from Sigma Thermal and LumaSense Technologies.
- Clay Treatment Systems from CJC.
3. Offline Oil Filtration Systems
- Function: These systems are used to filter and purify transformer oil without the need to take the transformer offline. The system is connected to the oil system, and the oil is circulated through filtration and purification processes.
- Key Features:
- Removes solid contaminants (dirt, sludge, and particles).
- Also capable of removing water and gases, depending on the system.
- Can be used for both partial and full oil purification.
- Popular Models:
- CJC Offline Filters from CJC (Continuous Oil Cleaning).
- Portable Oil Filtration Units from Des-Case.
- Turbine Oil Purifiers from T.O.P. Systems (can be used for transformer oil too).
4. Electrostatic Oil Purifiers
- Function: Electrostatic purification uses high-voltage electrostatic fields to attract and remove fine particulate contaminants from transformer oil. This is especially effective for removing suspended solid contaminants that are too small to be filtered through conventional means.
- Key Features:
- Removes fine particles that may be difficult to capture with standard filtration.
- Can also remove moisture and dissolved gases.
- Provides continuous cleaning while the transformer is in operation.
- Popular Models:
- Electrostatic Oil Purification Units from Pall Corporation.
- Electrostatic Oil Filters from Sorbtech.
5. Centrifugal Oil Purifiers
- Function: Centrifugal purifiers use centrifugal force to separate impurities from transformer oil. As the oil spins at high speed, denser contaminants (such as water, sludge, and solid particles) are pushed to the outer edges, while the purified oil remains in the center.
- Key Features:
- Effective for removing free water, solid particles, and sludge.
- Can be used for continuous or batch processing.
- Typically used for large-volume oil treatment.
- Popular Models:
- Centrifugal Purifiers from Alfa Laval.
- Centrifugal Filtration Systems from Turbine Oil Purifiers.
6. Portable Oil Filtration Machines
- Function: These are mobile filtration units that can be used on-site for transformer oil purification. These machines are equipped with pumps, filters, and sometimes heaters, and are ideal for treating smaller volumes or performing maintenance on transformer oil.
- Key Features:
- Easy to transport and use in various locations.
- Can be used for emergency oil purification.
- Typically effective in removing water, particles, and light oxidation products.
- Popular Models:
- Portable Transformer Oil Purifiers from Des-Case and Kleen-Oil.
- Portable Oil Filtration Systems from Sorbtech.
7. Polymer Resin Filtration Systems
- Function: These systems use specialized polymer resins to remove acids, oxidation products, and certain dissolved gases from transformer oil. The resins act as adsorbents and help restore the oil’s insulating properties.
- Key Features:
- Effective at removing acidic contaminants and oxidation byproducts.
- Can also remove dissolved gases like carbon dioxide.
- Often used for high-quality oil reconditioning.
- Popular Models:
- Polymer Resin Filter Units from CJC.
- Oil Treatment Units from Alfa Laval using resin-based filtration.
8. Vacuum Filtration Units
- Function: These units use a combination of vacuum and filtration to remove moisture, gases, and solid contaminants from transformer oil. Oil is passed through filters under vacuum conditions to aid the removal of dissolved gases and water.
- Key Features:
- Effectively removes dissolved gases and moisture.
- Good for both fresh and used transformer oils.
- Often used in the final stages of oil purification.
- Popular Models:
- Vacuum Filtration Systems from Pall Corporation and Filtration Systems Ltd..
- Vacuum Dehydrators and Oil Purifiers from CJC and Des-Case.
9. Oil Reconditioning Machines
- Function: These are advanced systems designed for the complete reconditioning of transformer oil, including filtration, dehydration, degassing, and the removal of oxidation products. These machines typically combine multiple purification methods to restore oil to its original or near-original quality.
- Key Features:
- Comprehensive oil reconditioning (water, particle, and gas removal).
- Suitable for large transformers and continuous purification.
- Restores dielectric strength and ensures transformer protection.
- Popular Models:
- Oil Reconditioning Units from Pall Corporation and CJC.
- Transformer Oil Reconditioning Systems from Sorbtech.
Summary of Key Machine Types for Transformer Oil Purification:
- Vacuum Dehydration and Degassing Units
- Clay Filtration Units
- Offline Oil Filtration Systems
- Electrostatic Oil Purifiers
- Centrifugal Oil Purifiers
- Portable Oil Filtration Machines
- Polymer Resin Filtration Systems
- Vacuum Filtration Units
- Oil Reconditioning Machines
The choice of purification machine depends on the specific needs of the transformer and the oil condition. For instance, if the oil has high water contamination, a vacuum dehydration unit might be preferred, while for cleaning particulate matter and oxidation products, clay filtration or electrostatic filtration may be more effective.
