Maximum acceptable concentrations of dbds, sulphur mercaptan and optimal concentration of passivators for safe and prolonged operation of power transformers

The study presents the results of experimental investigation of finding out the maximum acceptable concentrations of DBDS, sulfur mercaptan, and optimal concentration of passivator for safe and prolonged operation of power transformers in the local environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia. For experimental investigation of optimal concentrations of DBDS and sulfur mercaptan, new oil free of sulfur compounds was acquired. Four specimens of this were spiked with different concentrations of DBDS and another four with free sulfur mercaptan RSH concentrations. The covered conductor deposition (CCD) tests were performed in accordance with IEC 62535 method on all the specimens. Next, to study the effect of passivator concentrations and temperatures on corrosive sulfur formation, 10 specimens from new oil were spiked with different concentrations of BTA and Irgamet 39. Copper strips were immersed in these specimens and the vials containing the oil and the copper strips were subjected to different temperature from 50 to 150°C for 24 hours in the oven. The experimental results indicated that the concentration of DBDS should always be <4 ppm and sulfur mercaptan < 1 ppm in the new oils before putting in to the service. Based on the effectiveness of the passivators, BTA was found to be effective with 50 ppm concentration at 150°C compared to Irgamet 39 which was effective only with 150 ppm concentration.