Conservator Tank of Transformer

www.electrical4u.com /conservator-tank-of-transformer/

Conservator Tank of a Transformer

This is a cylindrical tank mounted on supporting structure on the roof the transformer main tank. The main
function of conservator tank of transformer is to provide adequate space for expansion of oil inside the
transformer.

Function of Conservator Tank of a Transformer

When transformer is loaded and when ambient temperature rises, the volume of oil inside transformer
increases. A conservator tank of transformer provides adequate space to this expanded transformer oil.
It also acts as a reservoir for transformer insulating oil.

Construction of Conservator Tank

This is a cylindrical shaped oil container closed from both ends. One large inspection cover is provided on
either side of the container to facilitate maintenance and cleaning inside of the conservator.

Conservator pipe, i.e. pipe comes from main transformer tank, is projected inside the conservator from
bottom portion. Head of the conservator pipe inside the conservator is provided with a cap. This pipe is
projected as well as provided with a cap because this design prevent oil sludge and sediment to enter into
main tank from conservator. Generally silica gel breather fixing pipe enters into the conservator from top. If
it enters from bottom, it should be projected well above the level of oil inside the conservator. This
arrangement ensure that oil does not enter the silica gel breather even at highest operating level.

Working of
Conservator
Tank
When volume of
transformer insulating
oil increases due to
load and ambient
temperature, the
vacant space above
the oil level inside the
conservator is
partially occupied by
the expanded oil.
Consequently,
corresponding
quantity of air of that
space is pushed away
through breather. On
other hand, when load of transformer decreases, the transformer is switched off and when the ambient
temperature decreases, the oil inside the transformer contracts. This causes outside air to enter in the
conservator tank of transformer through silica gel breather.

Atmoseal Type Conservator

In this type conservator of transformer, an air cell made of NBR material is fitted inside the conservator
reservoir. The silica gel breather is connected at the top of this air cell. The oil level in the power
transformer rises and falls according to this air cell deflated and inflated. When the air cell gets deflated the
air inside the air cell comes out via breather and on the other hand if the cell is inflated the outside air
comes in through breather.

This arrangement prevents direct contact of oil with air, thereby reduces ageing affect of oil.

The space available outside the cell in conservator tank is totally filled by oil. Air vents are provided on the
top of the conservator for venting accumulated air outside the air cell.

The pressure inside the air cell must be maintained 1.0 PSI.

Diaphragm Sealed Conservator

Here diaphragm is used as a barrier between transformer oil and atmospheric air. In this case the
conservator of transformer is made of tow semicircular halves as shown below. The diphram is held
between the the two halves and bolted. As oil expands it pushes up the diaphragm. The position of the
diaphragm is indicated by the oil level indicator i.e. magnetic oil gauge (Here MOG is not shown in the
figure above) as the rod of this MOG is connected to the diaphragm. When the oil level falls down in the
conservator, the diaphragm deflects and the atmospheric air fills the vacant place. This air is sucked
through silica gel breather which is connected to the top middle of conservator tank of transformer. (Here
silica gel breather is not shown in the figure above)

This type of conservator has one advantage over air cell conservator. If gas is pressurized to a high level, it
gets dissolved in oil. Over a period of time the amount of gas in oil reaches the saturation point. If at this
stage, the load of transformer is suddenly dropped or the ambient temperature falls severely, the pressure
falls, oil becomes supersaturated and the gas bubbles will be evolved. If there is a pimp connected in the
cooling circuit, it will help generating bubbles. These bubbles may cause insulation failure in the region of
strong fields. (Here silica gel breather, MOG, Drain Valves, Air Pockets, Conservator to main tank
connections are not shown in the
figure above)

"