“AGEING PHENOMENON OF PAPER OIL INSULATION IN POWER TRANSFORMER”

EWETUMO, Abraham Adebayo

ewesta707@gmail.com
0808 608 8822
 Ageing:
Irreversible changes in one or more properties as a consequence of normal use or as a result of electrical,
thermal, mechanical, and environmental stress over time
To be able to use the real capacity of transformer, Its important to know the duration
& level of stress , a transformer can withstand.
Thus liquid and solid insulation is equally important with regard to the operating capacity
and overloading capability.

COMPOSITION OF INSULATION PAPER-OIL

CELLULOSE PAPER
 Cellulose fibers (Chains of Hydrocarbons)
 Long chain with similar molecular structure.
 Strength (Chain connections + Hydrogen Bonding)
OIL
 Paraffins, Naphthenes & Aromatics ………(Simply Hydro carbons )
 Hydrocarbons but with different molecular structures.
Degree of Polymerization (DOP): No. of monomeric units in a Macromolecule, or polymer. (unaged cellulose
DOP is usually 1000-3000 glucose rings )
DEGRADATION OF HYDROCARBON STRUCTURE IN PAPER-OIL

Ageing performance of insulation (oil/paper) is influenced by “DEGRADATION OF HYDROCARBONS”.
 Three types of degradation
 Hydrolysis degradation (By Product: Sugar Glucose Chain Breakdown)
 Oxidative Degradation (Chain scission, By produces: Carboxyl Groups)
 Pyrolysis Degradation (Boosts H+O degradation, DOP/strength, opening of Glucose Ring, H2O & C-O)

Factors Leading to Degradation

The process of degradation (ageing) is influenced by following factors.

1. Thermal ageing process

2. Electromechanical & Combined Electro-thermal ageing process
THERMAL AGEING PROCESS
 Temperature changes Electrical & Mechanical properties of the Oil/cellulose insulation.
 Thermally supplied vibration energy is more concentrated on C-C, C-H & C-O Bonds.
 Leading to Breakdown CO2 ,CO , H2O, CH4
 Chemical reactions Sludge , Acid , etc.

Moisture + Water is absorbed by cellulose and causes further decomposition

Oxygen: Predominant in oil Oxidation of Oil/cellulose Acids, CO/CO2, H2O
Acids: Further decomposition of oil by dissolving the copper & iron

Mathematical Model of Thermal degradation

Montsinger’s Law: “Increase or decrease of operating Temperature by 6-10K results in doubling or halving of
ageing rate”.
Dakin’s Equation calculation:

X0= Material Characteristics at Time t=0 x= Material characteristics at time t

t=time in days C= Aging rate T=Absolute temperature in K
Dakin’s equation with “α” as general order reaction (α>0)
where .exp [-C(T).t] for boundary condition
Arrhenius Equation: Explains temperature dependence of ageing rate constant C(T)

CA=Constant [1/time]
E=activation energy [J/mol]
R=gas constant [J/K.mol]
THERMAL AGEING PROCESS UNDER INFLUENCE OF H2O & O2
 Breakdown voltage of liquid insulation depends upon water content in that liquid.
> If water is dissolved in the oil, breakdown voltage is quit higher (i.e. 65KV)
>If water is emulsified in oil, Break down voltage falls.
 Majority of Moisture in paper & pressboard, a small portion in oil.
 Oxygen: reacts with oil molecule to form water, CO/CO2 (mainly, by oxidation)

H2O+CO2 Thermo-hydrolytic decomposition of cellulose.

ELECTRICAL +COMBINED ELECTRICAL &THERMAL AGEING

• Electrical stress has little direct effect on ageing of liquid insulation.

• Electrical Discharges By products
• Thermal Energy Ionic & Gaseous reactions
• Electric field strength Separation of Ions (Preventing form combining)
 DIAGNOSTIC METHODS.
• Oil Test
>Moisture Contents: -sample
>Surface Tension -Cohesive forces among liquid molecule
>Neutralization Number -Amount of base needed to neutralize the acids in sample
>Dielectric Strength -Voltage Withstand level
>Dissolved Gas Analysis -Composition of generated gas

• Paper Test
>DOP -Mechanical Strength of Paper
>Furfural Analysis -Permanent byproducts
>Moisture Content -Sample
>Tensile Strength -Mechanical Stress

• Dielectric Test
>Voltage Test Electrical withstand strength of insulation
>Partial Discharge Test Detect and locate harmful local discharge
>Dielectric Response Diagnostic measurement, Moisture content
THANK YOU