Transforming Transformer Reliability & System Efficiency With The Right Oil
• Dr Peter Smith
• Global Technology Manager
• Shell Global Solutions (UK)
• UK
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Agenda
• Technical challenges/trends for transformers & oils?
• International transformer oil specifications
• Gas–To–Liquids (GTL) transformer oils compared to conventional oils
– Transformer oil properties & performance
– OEM & utility approvals & field experience
• Conclusions - benefits of GTL based transformer oil over conventional oils
Agenda
What is the function of a transformer oil?
Electrical Insulation
Electrical insulation- between
the coil windings
Cooling
The transfer of
heat away from
the core
Information transfer
Analysing the oil can give an
indication of transformer health
Changes to transformer technology and operation
means the oil needs to work harder
Higher
voltages to
improve
transmission
efficiencies
Higher
temperatures
Expectations
for a longer
operating life
Regulatory
requirements
More frequent operation under overload
and less redundancy in case of failure
Higher power / weight & volume ratios to
reduce manufacturing and installation
costs
International insulating oil specifications
IEC
ASTM
DIN/VDE BS
BIS
BS
IEC 60296 (2012) – Unused mineral oils for transformers and switchgears
IEC 60422 (2013) – Supervision and maintenance guidance
IEC 60599 (2007) – Guide to the interpretation of dissolved and free gases analysis
Gas-To-Liquids technology process
Catalytic Process to Convert Gas to Oil Products
GTL oil, primarily iso-paraffinic, no impurities, excellent
antioxidant response, narrow molecular distribution
Oil life - inhibited GTL versus
conventional inhibited oil
GTL inhibited oils – Exceptional resistance to degradation
IEC 61125C = induction period = volatile acidity >>0.1 mg KOH/g
Inhibited oils show predictable & best resistance to degradation
Oil life - inhibited GTL versus conventional
uninhibited oil
“Our laboratory and field testing of transformer oils show that inhibited oils
offer enhanced performance compared with uninhibited oils.”
Ivanka Hoehlein, Manager, Material Testing Laboratory, Siemens
Resistance to ageing & degradation – corrosive sulphur
~300 ppm sulphur
Uninhibited oil
<50 ppm sulphur
Conventional inhibited oil
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
7.50
6.25
5.00
3.75
2.50
1.25
0.00
First dimension retention time in minutes – dependant on volatility
Seco
nd
dim
en
sio
n r
ela
tiv
e_
rete
nti
on
tim
e i
n s
eco
nd
s –
dep
en
dan
to
n p
ola
rity
Source: IEC TC10 Cape Town 2005
Diala typical viscosity (cSt) versus temperature (°C)
Good fluidity across broad temperature range, especially low temperatures down to -30 °C, facilitating cooling
Cooling – viscosity (fluidity)
Cooling – thermal properties
“We made a back –to- back heat run test of Diala S4 and [competitor A] with transformers of
different design and discovered a temperature decrease of 2,5 K with Diala S4.”
E Guarato, Purchasing Manager & E. Beaurez, Director General, CELDUC
Electrical properties – lightning impulse breakdown
• Lightning impulse breakdown voltage testing
• Needle-plane & needle-sphere electrode configurations (gap typically 25
mm, using positive & negative impulses)
• Testing run at the University of Manchester
• Two oils Diala S4 ZX-I (GTL) & Diala S3 ZX-I (water < 10 ppm)
Needle – plane 12.5 litre oil Tungsten needle tip radius 50 +/- 5 micron Brass plane electrode 200 mm diameter
Needle – sphere (IEC 60897 method A) 300 ml oil Steel needle tip radius 7-2 micron elipse Brass sphere electrode 12.5 mm diameter
0
50
100
150
200
250
Needle -sphere +ve
Needle -sphere -ve
Needle -plane +ve
Needle -plane -ve
Shell Diala S3 ZX-I
Shell Diala S4 ZX-I (GTL)
10 mm gap
Average breakdown voltage in kV (Gap 25 mm unless specified)
Diala S4 ZX-I (GTL) shows greater ability to withstand severe voltage
transients in service such as those due to switching or lightning strikes
Electrical properties – lightning impulse breakdown
Ease of use - compatibility/miscibility
No miscibility, compatibility, solvency issues found.
GTL based transformer oils can be used alongside traditional hydrocarbon oils
Oil condition monitoring in service
DGA can be used as usual with GTL transformer oils (Duval triangles)
Partial Discharge Partial Discharge low Energy
Hotspot 300-700°C Hotspot >700°C
GTL oil meets the requirements of major OEMs & utility companies
Validated & approved by amongst others:
• Siemens
• ABB
• Alstom
• CG Power Systems
• Eskom (evaluation in progress)
• Machinenfabrik Reinhausen (MR)
• RWE (Germany)
• Vattenfall (Germany
• GDF-Suez (France)/ Electrabel (Belgium
Approval testing by OEMs & utility companies
Conclusions Benefits of GTL inhibited transformer oils versus conventional oils
• Meets/exceeds IEC 60296:Ed 4 2012 highest oxidation stability, low sulphur
• Ability to withstand severe voltage transients
• Modeling predicts good to superior cooling in service
• Exceptional resistance to ageing & degradation
• Essentially zero sulphur minimises risks due to corrosive sulphur
• Product is very pure, only contains base oil and antioxidant
• Consistent chemical composition = consistent global performance
• Easy to use with other oils, no miscibility/compatibility/solvency issues found
• Product evaluated, approved & used by major OEMs & utilities since 2013