transformer servicing

do you hope to buy it?

Many power generation companies have and do use silica gel canister breathers fitted to the conservator of oil filled transformers, however there is a better solution. Since silica gel is a rigid type desiccant, it is only capable of absorbing approximately 28% of its weight in atmospheric moisture at best. This is why such large silica gel canisters are used, at times I have seen two canisters used that are 60" tall each having a 10" diameter.

Over the past couple of years numerous power companies here in Canada as well as a number of transformer manufacturers abroad are starting to see the benefit of an improved super-polymer based technology that has the capability to absorb 400% of its weight in atmospheric moisture. These new types of breathers can be used independently or in tandem with pre-existing silica gel breather installations. Even when silica gel breathers are currently installed, the benefit is that the silica gel change-out cycle can be extended by 2 to 5 times its normal life-cycle.

This has huge benefits to maintenance and equipment costs because it is a big ordeal to change the silica gel. The worst problem is often silica gel is doped with the highly toxic cobalt(II) chloride a substance often used to indicate maximum moisture saturation by a blue to pink color change. Here is an article about these new types of breathers.

http://www.h2ocontrol.com/documents/Moisture%20Removal%20from%20Transformer%20Oil%20Conservator%20Tanks.pdf

Read the manual that came with the unit