Silica Gel Breather for Transformers in Thermal Power Plants

In thermal power plants and transformers, excess heat, humidity, and moisture can cause a lot of damage to large scale equipment and other important parts. The excess humidity and moisture can damage transformer oil, leading to breakdowns and costly repairs. Silica gel breathers can greatly help in this process by absorbing excess moisture from the air surrounding the transformer. This helps maintain optimal performance and extends the lifespan of the equipment. In this post, we will see the use of Silica gel breathers for transformers in thermal power plants. 

What is a Silica Gel Breather?

The silica gel breather is a useful and effective device used in transformers to keep moisture out, and keep the transformer environment clean, dry, and free of moisture and humidity. It consists of a transparent cylinder that is filled with silica gel crystals, as they are excellent material at absorbing water from the air. When air enters the transformer, it passes through these crystals, and the silica gel absorbs the moisture, ensuring that the air reaching the transformer is dry. This process helps protect the transformer’s insulation from any kind of damage caused by excess or varying levels of humidity. If the breather uses indicating silica gel variety it can also show when the material is saturated with moisture and needs to be replaced and regenerated for further use. 

Importance of Moisture Control in Transformers

Moisture control is very important and required in thermal power plants, especially in transformers for their safe and efficient operation, as very high moisture levels can greatly reduce the dielectric strength of the insulating oil, making it more likely for electrical failures, like flashovers and arcing, to occur.

This excess or varying levels of moisture can get into transformers due to old insulation or broken seals, which can cause sudden failures and expensive repairs. This moisture speeds up the wear of paper insulation, making the performance worse or degraded overall.

That is why it is important to maintain and keep proper and optimal levels of moisture and humidity levels inside the transformers in thermal plants. Keeping moisture levels low helps transformers work well and last longer, which supports a steady power supply. It's important to regularly check and manage moisture levels to reach these goals.

Silica Gel Breather in Thermal Power Plant Transformers

To help with maintaining optimal levels of humidity and control moisture levels, Silica breathers are used in thermal power plant transformers, where they are placed or installed on the conservator tank of transformers and contain silica gel crystals that absorb moisture from the air entering the transformer. When the transformer heats and cools, it takes in air which here is referred to as breathing, and the silica gel keeps this air dry, which helps protect the transformer oil from moisture harm.

These Silica breathers can provide better advantages over other adsorbent materials like better performance, affordability, sustainability due to their regenerable nature, and less maintenance. They help keep moisture levels down, which best improves the oil's dielectric strength reduces the risk of electrical failures, and results in fewer breakdowns and repairs, helping to prolong the transformer's life. Also, regularly checking the color of the silica gel shows when it should be replaced or renewed, which simplifies and improves maintenance for power plants. 

Comparison with Other Moisture Control Methods

Moisture Control Method	Description	Advantages
Silica Gel Breathers	Uses silica gel crystals to absorb moisture from the air entering transformers.	It is highly effective in maintaining low moisture levels, easy to monitor with visible color change, and cost-effective for long-term use.
Clay Desiccant Packs	It is made from natural bentonite clay, these packs absorb moisture effectively.	It can be highly absorbent, reusable through simple heating, and safe for various applications, including food and pharmaceuticals.
Moisture Absorbing Filters	The filters are designed to remove moisture but can clog over time.	It provides continuous moisture control and can be replaced easily when saturated, ensuring ongoing protection.

Maintenance and Replacement

For the proper and optimal maintenance of silica gel breathers, it is best to regularly check their color, as the silica gel changes from blue to pink when it absorbs moisture, indicating that it needs replacement. It is best to inspect the breathers every month, especially in humid conditions. When changing the breather, make sure the new one is sealed well to stop moisture from getting into the transformer. You should replace the breather if it is always pink or shows cracks and damage. If the breather is full and not drying out, replace it right away to keep the transformer safe from moisture damage.

Conclusion

It is best to invest in high performance and high quality Silica breathers for transformers in thermal power plants, as it is important for the proper functioning and maintenance of these large scale applications. Silica Gel Desiccant is the leading manufacturer and supplier of Silica gel breathers that are designed with advanced features, including color-changing indicators that make monitoring easy.