Field of the invention
Method for removal of elemental sulfur from transformer/electrical insulation oils operating in strong electrical and magnetic fields.
Background.
During the latest decades, sulphidation has appeared as a problem in electrical oil insulated apparatuses such as transformers, reactors, breakers, and auxiliary devices like e.g. tap changers. In short; anything containing electrical insulation oils and which operates in strong electrical and/or magnetic fields.
The main uses for these oils in transformers are electrical insulation and cooling i.e. to remove heat dissipated from hot surfaces inside the device. For breakers an additional oil function is that of disrupting/quenching the arc that develop during the breaking action.
The sulphidation has been reported to cause disrupted operation and in some cases even costly failures. The failure cause has been and to some extent continue to be “unknown” even by professionals.
From the chemical point of view any molecule/compound that contain one or more sulphur atoms has the potential to become a sulphur source for sulphidation processes.
However, it has become known that certain additives have been used by some insulation oils manufacturing industries, merely for the purpose of boosting their oil product performance in testing methods as defined by International Standard ́s requirements. It has lead to a change in the International Standards so that now, no additives are allowable, unless they are declared and accepted by the purchaser/user.
However, under certain conditions these additives remain a potential problem in transformers in operation and sometimes the owner decides to “regenerate oil” i.e. remove polar molecules e.g. molecules formed due to oxidation or other degradation processes which appear as a consequence of the chemical reaction conditions inside a transformer.
Some of these processes reuse the polar compound adsorption material (usually Fullers Earth) by a reactivation process where adsorbed hydrocarbons are removed by different processes. In instances when this reactivation process is not completed, the adsorption material may produce/release sulfur in a corrosive form.
It has also been found (by the patent applicant) that elemental sulfur is found in transformers in normal operation and thus is a consequence of not defined processes inside the transformers.
There is an obvious need to inhibit the function of elemental sulfur in order to prevent metal sulphidation (predominantly silver and copper sulphidation).
DE2624239A describes an equipment for treating insulating oil in oil-filled high-voltage electrical plant. The equipment has an active contact substance capable of removing corrosive sulphur when in direct contact with the oil. The active contact substance may then remove the sulphur by a chemical reaction or by absorption.
WO2007144696A is a method for deactivating corrosive sulfur in insulating oil by adding at least one sulfide forming, generally a metal based compound to the insulating oil in oil soluble form in an amount sufficient to react with corrosive sulfur compounds in the oil, for remove from the insulating oill these compunds which may be formed due to oil regenerations processes.
Short summary of the invention
The invention concerns the use of active phosphines with high selectivity to react with atoms in the chalcogen group such as Oxygen and Sulfur and is an in-situ method for removal of elemental sulfur from electrical insulating oil in an oil filled apparatus comprising, to determine the level of elemental sulfur in the electrical insulation oil and then slowly add highly concentrated phosphine product to the oil. The phosphine product react with the elemental sulphur and form a stable product thus preventing the elemental sulfur from causing metal sulphidation and preventing possible damage and breakdown of electrical oil insulated apparatuses.
The phosphine product is added in an amount 4 -5 times higher than the elemental sulphur content in the oil. This is advantageous, as this forms a buffer for reacting with more elemental sulfur “leaking out” from winding cellulose and other porous parts of the transformer interior.
In an embodiment of the invention the phosphine product added is Triphenylphosphine (TPP), favorable due to the large and “dense” appearance of the phenyl group which may create a major increase in selectivity towards atoms such as sulfur and oxygen.
Embodiments of the invention
The invention concerns the use of active phosphines with high selectivity to react with atoms in the chalcogen group such as Oxygen and Sulfur.
Insulating oils contain a large variety of sulphur containing hydrocarbons. The better refined the oil is, the less sulphur it will contain. There is a general risk that metals that come in contact with oil may be caused to sulphidize i.e. corrode under certain conditions. Sulphur induced corrosion is revealed by a dark (brown or more commonly black) deposition on the metal and on/in the surrounding cellulose.
This will reduce the insulating ability of the cellulose and the risk for electron migration will increase.
Elemental sulphur exists mainly in three forms including as cyclic molecules having six, seven and most commonly (i.e. most stable) eight sulphur atoms (S6, S7and S8).
Triphenylphosphine (C18H15P) (with CAS number 603-35-0), hereinafter referred to as TPP, is an organophosphorus compound with molecular weight 262.29 g/mol. The compound appearance is as white powder, which is solid at standard temperature and pressure.
TPP react immediately i.e. very quickly form TPPS with sulphur atoms from S6, S7or S8molecules i.e. with elemental sulphur.
The only reaction product is triphenylephosphinsulphide (abbreviated TPPS). One molecule TPP bind one sulfur atom and consequently eight molecules of TPP is consumed by one S8molecule.
Insulating oil, that at corrosion tests have shown that they contain elemental sulphur i.e. corrosive sulphur, have been treated with TPP. The corrosion test following the TPP-addition indicate no further presence of elemental sulphur. The effect has been statistically confirmed through multiples samples and with real transformers.
Through the addition of TPP to the oil, the problems related sulphur corrosion is completely eliminated. Elemental sulphur formation has proven to be a very common consequence of oil regeneration. Moreover, it is concluded that TPPS is a very stable and thus a non-corrosion-creating sulphide even at extremely high transformer oil temperatures.
The phosphine molecule may be of different chemical composition but due to its wide spread use in different chemistry related industrial manufacturing processes, TPP (Tri-Phenyl-Phosphine) is suitable to use. The phenyl groups may be substituted with any hydrocarbon group to form a phosphine molecule but there is a distinct advantage for TPP due to the large and “dense” appearance of the phenyl group which may create a major increase in selectivity towards atoms such as sulfur and oxygen.
Chromatogram showing the TPP, TPPO and TPPS retention times. These are of course dependent on the analytical conditions set for the GC.
In the chromatogram, the ease of determining the presence of TPP, TPPO (Triphenylphosphine oxide) and TPPS by use of a dedicated detector is illustrated. The chromatogram has been obtained in laboratory testing to determine the selectivity of the reaction when using a sulfur free standard base oil for insulation oil manufacturing purposes. No other reactions involving TPP are seen (the GC run was 21 minutes).
In order to determine the TPP ability to react with sulphur even at room temperature (22° Celsius), TPP and S was mixed and analyzed using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In HPLC the sample is not subjected to elevated temperature when injected and thus the results will ascertain the no reaction has taken place in the injector (In gas chromatography the injector is normally heated to temperatures above 150° Celsius resulting in possible misinterpretations).
The conclusion of that investigation was that sulfur and oxygen compete to react with TPP. This opens up for different methods to apply treatment:
1. The oil is degassed prior to the introduction of TPP. TPP is then added either in powder form or in the form of a concentrated hydrocarbon based solution of TPP. The purpose of degassing is to decrease the oxygen reaction with TPP in favor of the sulfur reaction. It is a costlier method of addition but is also a more sulfur directed method. It will also create a larger “buffer” inside the unit where TPP remain and may be consumed later on as more elemental sulfur is “leaking out” from winding cellulose and other porous parts.
2. It is added, either as powder or in a concentrated hydrocarbon based solution but with no prior degassing. The method will require less preparation and should be performed on a unit where the oil is warm to enable quick reaction.
3. In a cold unit with circulation going, the addition of concentrated hydrocarbon based TPP solution is preferred because TPP solubility time is dependent on absolute temperature and powder may result in particles entering the electrical field.
Any combination of these methods is possible.
Reactions
How this invention is applied and what is gained.
The invention creates a possibility to counter-act corrosive behaviour experienced when testing properties of certain insulating or base oils. The sulphidation reactions are inhibited with an almost 100 % efficiency due to that the reactive sulfur is transformed into a non reactive variety namely TPPS (if the phosphine selected is TPP).
Laboratory testing has shown that oils that under standardized test conditions produced a “non-corrosive” result after TPP addition, on both silver and copper.
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Treated oils have been tested also for Breakdown Voltage and Tan delta (loss factor at 90° Celsius) and no negative effects have been found. This is also the expected result due to the very low level of additive used.
The treatment procedure is as follows:
1. Determine the level of elemental sulfur in the transformer. Select a treatment level of 4-5 times this concentration in order to establish a chemical buffer that remain after the treatment has been finished.
2. Remove gases present in the transformer oil in order to decrease the competing TPPO formation reaction.
3. Use a dosing pump to slowly add the liquid containing highly concentrated TPP or other selected phosphine product. The ideal addition time is 24 hours but for practical reasons shorter times will be applied. It is essential to understand the importance of diluting the TPP.
4. Sample from incoming flow to degasser to determine obtained TPP and TPPS concentration.
5. Sample one week, one month and 6 months later to determine TPP, TPPS and TPPO.
The gain for transformer and other machine owners is that no expensive treatments are required and that oil change can be avoided. Consequently this is an environmentally friendly treatment method.