Shanthala Power Research Corporation, Hubli.

Shanthala Power Research Corporation

Dissolved Gas Analysis by Gas Chromatography

A Modern Diagnostic tool for detection of faults in power Transformers in operation

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Contamination by gases Gases present can be divided into two categories 1. Those which are dissolved in the oil from the atmosphere. 2. Those which are generated insitu.
1. Atmospheric gases oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Dissolution depends on nature of gas, composition of gas, temperature and pressure.

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2.

The gases generated inside the transformers are hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases.
The causes are: a. Thermal decomposition. b. Electrical stress. c. Electrolysis. d. Vapourisatoin. e. Chemical reaction

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MECHANISM OF GAS FORMATION:

Oil molecules C (SOLID) + 2H2 (G) 2CH4 (G) C2H4 (G) CH4 C2H2, C2H2, C2H6, H2 (G) + C (solid)--(1) CH4(G) C2H4 (G) + 2H2 (G) C2H2 (G) + H2 (G) (2) (3) (4)

C2H4 (G) + H2 (G)

C2H2 (G) + 2H2 (G)

C2H6 (G)
C2H6 (G)
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(5)
(6)

DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS

Sampling of oil. IEC 5671977 Extraction of dissolved gases from oil by introduction of oil into a pre evacuated known volume. Separation of Quantification. gas from the The volume extracted concentration of mixture is each gas in the effected in oil sample is a.G.C. calculated in The integrated terms of parts per area of each million, taking The evolved peak is into account the gases are determined. The volume of oil compressed to gas represented used for atmospheric by each peak is degassing. pressure and the identified by total volume is comparison of measured. eluted times with those obtained for standard gas mixture used for calibration. Shantha Power Research Corporation Interpretation of data. concentration limit on the basis of service tr. history key gas method combustible gas method Rogers ratio or IEC ratio method. IEC 599-1979 is 10593-1992

IS 94341992

Standards applicable
Sampling of oil Extraction of gases Analysis of gases By gas Chromograph Interpretation of Data IEC 567-1971 IS 9434-1992 ASTM-831-41 IS 9434-1992

IS 10593-1992

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GAS ANALYSIS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY Principle : Chromatography is a physical process of separation. Components to be separated are distributed between two phases, one of which is a stationary phase of large surface area and the other a fluid that percolates through a mobile phase. The stationary phase is an adsorbent like silica gel, Alumina, molecular sieves; Polymer beeds etc.The process of adsorption will have different retention time characteristics under given experimental conditions. Therefore identification of components is possible. Standard retention times obtained with calibration gases.
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Gas chromatography system

Infinite Source -------------- Regulator -------- Injection----of Gas Pressure Port Capillary Column ----------- Detectors ---------- Amplifier ----Adsorbent

Recording System / Data Station

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CALIBRATION OF GAS CHROMOTOGRAPH

The gas chromatograph is required to be calibrated with standard gases of known composition. The retention time and areas of peaks of the known quality of gas mixture are obtained to compare with that of sample gas.
Typical composition of standards gas
Methane ETANE Ethylene Acetylene Hydrogen Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide 100 ppm, in balance Nitrogen

100 % 5000 ppm, in balance Hydrogen

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1.

3.

4.

LABELLING OF OIL SAMPLES Oil sample preferably in duplicate should be properly labeled before despatch to the laboratory and the following information is to be sent along with each sample. Plant location (i.e. Division, Sub-division MUSS etc.,) 2. Identification of equipment (i.e. Name plate details of Transformers.) Object of sampling (i.e. whether sampling is consequent to the tripping of the transformer through protective relays or a normal routine periodic testing.) Date of Sampling .

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7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Volume of oil in equipment Temperature oil sample when drawn Date of commissioning of the transformer Date of last filtration of oil Tap changer (if any) whether it is integral part of the transformer or isolated part 12. Details of repairs (if any) carried out since the commissioning of the transformer.

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PERMISSIBLE LIMITS

Permissible concentrations of dissolved gases in the oil of a healthy transformer (Transformer Union AG)
Gas Less than four year in service 4 10 years > 10yrs

Hydrogen
Methane Acetylene Ethylene Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide

10 / 150 ppm
50 / 70 ppm 20 / 30 ppm 100 / 150 ppm 200 / 300 ppm 3000 / 3500 ppm

200 / 300 ppm

100 / 150 ppm 30 / 50 ppm 150 / 200 ppm 400 / 500 ppm 4000 / 5000 ppm

200 / 300 ppm

200 / 300 ppm 100 / 150 ppm 200 / 400 ppm 600 / 700 ppm 9000 / 1200 ppm

Limitations of permissible limits How Permissible Can Be Formed

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Interpretation of Transformer faults by Various Methods Key Gas Method Fault

Partial Discharge Arcing Thermic/Overheating Degradation of Cellulose Insulation

Key Gases
Methane and Hydrogen Acetylene Ethylene Carbon Monoxide

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V Ratio Methods
Rogers Ratio: This is Four Ratio method and helps in defining the faults precisely.
CH4 H2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 C2H6 CH4 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 C2H4 C2H6 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 C2H2 C2H4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 If CH4 / H2 = 0 or 0.1 partial discharge, otherwise normal deterioration. Slight overheating below 150C Slight overheating below 150C - 200C Slight overheating below 200C - 300C General conductor overheating.
Circulating currents and / or overheating joints.

Diagnosis

Flash over without power follow through. Tap Changer selector breaking current. Arc with power follow through or persistent sparking.

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IEC 599 RATIO METHOD C2H2 / C2H4, CH4 / H2, C2H4 / C2H6
Code of C2H2 / C2H4 Range of Gases < 0.1 0.1 - 1.0 12 >3 No Fault RD. of High Intensity Discharge of Low Energy Discharge of High Energy Range of CH4 / H2 Ratio C2H4 / C2H6

0 1 2 2 0 0

1 0 2 2 0 1

0 0 1 2 0 0

1-2

1-2

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Code of Range of Ratio C2H2 / C2H4 CH4 / H2 C2H4 / C2H6 Thermal Fault Of low Temp. Up to 100C 150C - 300C 300C - 700C > 700C 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 2

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Case-1
320kVA Transformer.
Date of Testing 11-02-03 Filtration ----------Methane in ppm 177 Ethane in ppm 211 Ethylene in ppm 39 Acetylene in ppm 75 Hydrogen in ppm 96 Carbon Di Oxide in ppm 490 TGC % by Volume 10 11-05-03 30-04-03 93.62 15.44 33.40 ND ND 1011.23 09 12-07-03 ---------1453 2978 393 13900 736 74 10

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Typical case of contact points completely burnt of Transformer OLTC.

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Closer look of contact Points.

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Case-2
Transformer Details: 2 MVA, 3.3kV/433V Year of Installation :1995, Filtration :2003 Date of Testing 15-10-2003 22-12-2003 Methane in ppm 86.56 126.27 Ethane in ppm 17.35 30.97 Ethylene in ppm 224.33 360.28 Acetylene in ppm 6.49 3.16 Hydrogen in ppm 3.72 2.71 Carbon Di Oxide in ppm 1141.90 1342.06 TGC % by Volume 10.54 8.02 DGA indicates Methane and Ethylene gas conc. are more than the limit. It is suspected that there is a Thermic Fault due to overheating of joints or bolts or core. Shantha Power Research Corporation The utility has confirmed the fault as overheating of joints.

Case-3
Transformer Details: 20 MVA, 66kV/6.9kV Year of Installation :1985, Filtration :2003 Date of Testing 03-12-2004 28-01-2005 Methane in ppm 169.82 293.06 Ethane in ppm 170.05 238.58 Ethylene in ppm 502.02 737.99 Acetylene in ppm 26.54 20.26 Hydrogen in ppm 1.96 68.82 Carbon Di Oxide in ppm 1758.66 3215.98 TGC % by Volume 8.02 12.30 DGA indicates Methane, Ethane and Ethylene gas conc. are more than the limit. It is suspected that there is a Thermic Fault due to overheating.
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Typical of a failure of 65 MVA Transformer Thermic Fault

Bucholtz actuation reported Bucholtz gas brought for analysis Methane in ppm Ethane in ppm Ethylene in ppm Acetylene in ppm Hydrogen in ppm Carbon Di Oxide in ppm 244 166 1107 129 1578 3208

AS Bucholtz gas contains high concentration of hydrogen gases & since ethylene concentration is very high it is suspected to be a severe overheating fault The utility has confirmed the presence of overheating joint
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Case-4
20 MVA Transformer Date of Testing 12-05-03 Methane in ppm 91 Ethane in ppm 81 Ethylene in ppm 42 Acetylene in ppm 158 Hydrogen in ppm ND Carbon Di Oxide in ppm 245
Findings:

14-06-03 162 230 94 831 ND 174

On visual examination, it was found that Transformer had arced from its primary winding to ground. Further it was also found that the insulating spacers were completely burned on the primary winding.
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Typical case of a Arcing failure of a 20 MVA Transformer.

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DGA FOR NEW TRANSFORMERS

Useful quality control test for new transformers Gas analysis before & after factory tests (heat run test, H.V. Test, temperature raise test) can reveal the internal condition For New Transformers Gas Concentration Are Very Low 2 PPM while interpreting new equipments after factory tests, the pressure of gases due to following should not be forgotten Old fault corrected but oil not degassed Evolution of hydrogen due to catalytic dehydrogenation of oil Inadequate drying before impregnating may give rise to hydrogen or oxygen from electrolysis of water molecules. Repairs by way of brazing and / or welding may give rise to various gases

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THE TYPICAL FAULTS THAT MAY OCCUR DURING ROUTINE TESTS ARE: Arcing due to clearance to the tank and to adjoining winding Overheating of the joints in OLTC and brazed points Power follow through with continuous arcing Inter turn windings failure Shield ring failure Core bolt fault

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GREATEST ADVANTAGE OF DGA TECHNIQUE

Avoidance of unplanned outage as transformer defects are detected at incipient stages itself so that timely remedial measures can be undertaken to prevent damage or total loss of equipment Status of health check for transformer periodically Is a quality test for new transformer / repaired transformer before dispatch, installation & commissioning Cleaning transformer without internal faults, when they have tripped due to other reasons

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Greatest advantage of DGA technique

Avoidance of unplanned outage as transformer defects are detected at incipient stages itself so that timely remedial measures can be undertaken to prevent damage or total loss of equipment Status of health check for transformer periodically Is a quality test for new transformer / repaired transformer before dispatch, installation & commissioning Cleaning transformer without internal faults, when they have tripped due to other reasons

Several gases where transformers have been saved from total destruction, the confidence in DGA technique is so high that the transformers are sent to repairs by no other evidence other than of DGA Shanthathat Power Research Corporation

The Transformer failed due to Periodic Maintenance was not carried out.

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