When this large transformer at a substation began to leak oil through its top flange, employees needed to decide how to properly repair the transformer. The utility could drain the tank and remove the flange in order to replace the gasket or remove the oil and weld the flange. The nitrogen blanket that normally covers the transformer oil rarely requires re-charging. However, due to the steady leaks, the utility had to hook up nitrogen cylinders to the transformer in order to maintain the nitrogen blanket over the oil.
ENECON was called in and determined that there was another option, use DurAlloy to repair and seal the leaking gasket. To begin the repair, six bolts from the transformer were removed at a time and the area was thoroughly cleaned. The area of the leak was then sealed with DurAlloy and the bolts were all replaced to complete the repair.
This entire repair job required approximately $500 worth of DurAlloy product, along with just a few days of man-work guided by ENECON’s regional sales director. The utility plant was so satisfied with the cost-effective repair that they immediately purchased additional DurAlloy to use at other substations.
MT-054 – Los Angeles Utility Saves Thousands of Dollars on Transformer Leak Repairs