Shipping of oil filled equipment

[wowski]

We are looking at having a 50tonne reactor moved, and one of the big issues is the weight of the device. It would be a lot less expensive to ship the device with the tank empty of the insulating oil. What are the problems which could be encountered if this was done. The reactor oil needs replacing anyway

 

[wbd]

I would suspect that this would be similar to the way large power transformers are shipped. They are shipped without the oil and are filled with nitrogen gas. After the transformer is set in place, it is then dryed out and filled with oil.

 

[gmazumder]

Wowski,

Its a standard practice to ship tarnsformers and reactors in dry condition. The reactor oil is best drained under the pressure on Nitrogen gas and that minimises the exposure of the insulation paper to the atmospheric conditions. The trnasformer is to be held under slight pressure to see that no N2 gas leakage occurs. After around 48 hours again some oil can be drained out as oil will seep out of the winding and the paper and the insualtion.

Now if the reactor was in operation you can perform a FRA (frequency response analysis) on it before oil draining. After the oil has been drained under the presence of N2 gas the transformer is to be loaded in to the transport vehicle and there are devices fitted on the transformer to monitor the vibrations faced by the transformer during trnasportation.
alexk observations are also to be kept in mind and the suggestions are usefull. Generally for the weight you have mentioned you can use a crane for loading and unloading.
After reching at site and positioning the reactor at the proper location the same is to be vacummed and the n2 gas removed, then the proper properties insualting oil filled and filtered and reactor readied.
You can conduct a repeat FRA to verify that no transit trouble has occurred and proceed with the commissioning of the device.
Oil sealing gaskets can also be replaced during the exercise.
if you can communicate to me the exact conditions, the voltage class of the device, and the transportation methodology in brief detail i can make you a checklist to be followed, my email is gmazumder@indiatimes.com

hope you find this usefull

 

[BJC]

Who made the thing and how old is it? There should be drawings in existance that show details for rigging to move and handling the reactor. Most manufactures will have instructions snd rigging drawings for moving the unit.
The question is of course is did anyone keep the drawings? If the manufacture is still in business they no doubt have copies, getting them may be another matter. If they charge you for them it may be worth the cost.
I'd bet a small lunch that none of them show moving it with oil in place.
The nitrogen blanket is essential but remember nitrogen comes in "plane", "dry", extra dry", and "water pumped or oil free" flavors.

 

[busbar]

Don't forget about the bushings.

 

[jghrist]

For a 50 Tonne reactor, you might not need to go to such extremes. In the US, 50 Tonne medium power transformers are routinely shipped on trucks filled with oil and lifted off with cranes. This was done on a recent project of ours with a 30/40/50 MVA 100-25 kV power transformer weighing 118,765 lbs with oil (shipping weight somewhat less because bushings were removed).