Transformer Tank & Oil

Preservation
 Tank Design
Mechanical Integrity For Shipping And
Operation
Ability to withstand a full vacuum.
Operational Considerations Include:
Mitigation Of Leaks
Withstand For Seismic Events If
Required
Minimization Of Damage If An Internal
Fault Occurs
Oil Preservation System
Gas Blanket
Free Breathing Conservator
Conservator With Bladder
Sealed Tank (Breather)
Tank Inert Gas Pressure
System
Tank Sealed Conservator
Purpose of a Transformer Bladder

The bladder in a transformer conservator tank, also called a

COPS tank (constant oil preservation system) is designed
for one purpose, and that is to keep the atmosphere away
from the oil in the transformer. Water and oxygen cause oil
to degrade; therefore, if these elements are kept away
from the oil it will last for years and the transformer will
stay dryer. The bladder is made of a rubber coated fabric
material. Figure 1 shows a conservator tank with bladder.
The inside of the bladder is filled with atmospheric air and
floats on the oil
inside the conservator tank. The bladder will expand and
contract with the change in oil level in the conservator
tank.
Cautions associated With
Transformer Conservator
Tanks

When installing a conservator with a bladder on a

transformer, the manufacturers instruction book should
always be read and followed. Most conservator tanks are
not designed to withstand the pressure of a vacuum. A
vacuum can damage both the conservator tank and the
bladder. On some newer transformers the conservator is
rated to withstand a vacuum. In these cases the
manufacturer may instruct that the conservator tank be
vacuum filled. In all cases the bladder must not be
subjected to a vacuum on one
side and atmospheric pressure on the other side.
 Conservator Tank
Free Breathing

Oil Level Gauge Float

Tank Vent
Air Outlet

Oil Level at
25c

Oil Level Gauge

Tank Vent
Air Inlet

Goose Neck To Main Tank

 Bladder Pumped Up To Bleed Tank

To Bladder Breather Device

Tank Vent
Conservator Tank

Bladder Inflated to 1 PSI

Oil Surrounding
Bladder & Filling Tank

Oil Level Gauge Float

Oil Level Gauge

Goose Neck To Main Tank

Note That Inflated Bladder Has Oil Level Gauge
Pushed Down Indicating False Low Level
 Bladder Operating Normally

To Bladder Breather Device

Tank Vent

Conservator Tank
Bladder Is Breathing Normally

Normal Oil Level

Oil Level Gauge Float

Oil Level Gauge

Goose Neck To Main Tank

Note Oil Level Gauge Is Reading Correct Level

 Bladder Is Bad & Has Oil On The
Inside
To Bladder Breather Device
Tank Vent
Conservator Tank

Bladder Is Bad &

Is Not Floating On The Oil

Oil Level Is
Still Normal

Oil Level Gauge Float

Oil Level Gauge

Goose Neck To Main Tank

Note That Bad Bladder Has Oil Level Gauge
Pushed Down Indicating False Low Level