Moisture-absorbing respirator

Abstract

To provide a moisture absorption respirator that achieves reduction of maintenance, saving energy, reduction of CO2 emissions, and sustainability.SOLUTION: A moisture absorbent housing container 8 houses a moisture absorbent inside. The moisture absorbent housing container 8 is divided into: a first layer absorbent chamber 20 provided, within the moisture absorbent housing container 8, on the side of an outflow inlet 40 allowing air to flow-in from / flow-out to the outside; and a second layer absorbent chamber 21 provided, within the absorbent storage container 8, on the side of a ventilation pipe 4 connected to a conservator 3. A heating device 9 is provided in the first layer absorbent chamber 20. The heating device 9 thermally regenerates the absorbent by means of an electric current generated by a solar panel 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moisture-absorbing breather used for preventing deterioration of oil-filled equipment such as transformers.

Background Art

[0002] In order to absorb the volume change of oil due to temperature change of oil-filled equipment such as transformers, an air chamber is provided in the upper part of the oil-filled equipment body or a dedicated container. Hereinafter, such an air chamber is referred to as a pressure relief space, and a dedicated container for absorbing the volume change of oil is referred to as a conservator. Some conservators have a structure in which a rubber film is provided at the boundary between the pressure relief space and the oil so that air and oil do not directly contact each other. The moisture-absorbing breather is an accessory attached to the main body tank or the conservator, and is a component for preventing oil deterioration by removing moisture in the pressure relief space.

[0003] Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a general device configuration of a transformer equipped with a conservator. As shown in Fig. 5, it includes a tank 1 that houses the transformer core, a conservator 3 connected through a connecting pipe 2 from the upper part of the tank 1, a ventilation pipe 4 extending further upward from the conservator 3, and a moisture-absorbing breather 5 installed in the middle of the ventilation pipe 4. The tank 1 that houses the transformer core is filled with insulating oil 6. The conservator 3 has a space filled with insulating oil 6 and a pressure relief space 65 not filled with insulating oil 6.

[0004] The expansion and contraction amount of this insulating oil 6 accompanying the temperature change is adjusted using this conservator 3. The insulating oil 6 of the transformer generally becomes hot and expands as the load increases during the day and the outside air temperature rises, and becomes cold and its volume contracts at night due to the load decrease and the outside air temperature drop.

[0005] Due to the expansion and contraction of the insulating oil caused by temperature increases and decreases due to changes in ambient temperature and transformer load, the oil level inside tank 1 and conservator 3, as well as the volume of the pressure relief space 65, change. As a result of these changes in oil level and volume, the air inside the pressure relief space 65 moves in and out of the conservator 3 through the moisture-absorbing respirator 5, causing air to enter and exit between the conservator 3 and the outside air (a so-called breathing action).

[0006] Figure 6 shows an example of a conventional hygroscopic respirator configuration (Patent Document 1).

[0007] The structure consists of a dehumidifier 73 containing silica gel 72, which acts as a desiccant, in a storage container 71, with a glass respirator 75 containing oil 74 attached below it.

[0008] In this system, outside air flows in between the oil container holder 76 and the oil container 77, passes through the oil 74 in the oil container 77, where debris is removed, and then enters the upper storage container 71 through the breathing tube 78. Next, it comes into contact with the silica gel 72 packed inside the storage container 71, removing moisture, and the dry air flows through the flange 79 to the conservator inside the tank.

[0009] Silica gel 72 has traditionally been widely used as the desiccant contained inside the moisture-absorbing respirator 5. This silica gel 72 adsorbs moisture from the outside air that flows in through the vent holes. This removes moisture, which is a major cause of deterioration of transformers and insulating oil, and has the effect of suppressing the deterioration of the insulation material and insulating oil inside the transformer.

[0010] Furthermore, to prevent the silica gel 72 stored in the storage container 71 from absorbing moisture unrelated to its natural respiration function by constantly being in contact with the atmosphere, a respirator 75 containing oil 74 is provided at the bottom of the dehumidifier 73, so that respiration occurs through the oil layer. This oil layer also contains an adsorbent to remove moisture from the oil.

[0011] To check the operation of this hygroscopic respirator, the respirator 75 is made of glass, and the state of bubbles generated in the oil 74 placed in the oil container 77 is visually checked from the outside. However, as the oil 74, which has collected airborne dust and other particles, gradually becomes contaminated, it becomes difficult to check the state of bubble generation, and in this case, the oil 74 needs to be replaced with new oil.

[0012] Furthermore, the silica gel 72 packed in the storage container 71 is a granular material with excellent hygroscopic properties. However, as the amount of moisture absorbed increases, its hygroscopic performance decreases, and as it absorbs humidity, its original color changes from blue to pink, etc. This can be checked through a viewing window 80 provided on the side of the storage container 71, and the deteriorated state is observed and replaced accordingly.

[0013] In conventional dehumidifying respirators, if a change in the color of the desiccant goes unnoticed and is left unattended, the dehumidifying function will deteriorate, allowing humid air to enter the pressure relief space 65, accelerating the deterioration of the transformer's insulating oil 6. Even if the conservator 3 has a rubber membrane, moisture will permeate the rubber membrane, further accelerating the deterioration of the insulating oil 6. Therefore, monitoring the color of the silica gel 72 during daily inspections and replacing it periodically is an important maintenance task, usually performed every six months. This replacement process involves removing all the discolored silica gel 72 from the dehumidifying respirator 5 and replacing it with new desiccant. It is also necessary to replace the oil in the oil layer of the respirator 75 and the adsorbent within it.

[0014] During replacement work, it is also necessary to take measures to prevent humid air (outside air) from entering the pressure relief space 65.

[0015] To replace the silica gel 72, remove the removal cap 81 attached to the bottom of the storage container 71 and let the silica gel 72 inside fall out. Next, put the removal cap 81 back on, remove the filling cap 82 attached to the top of the storage container 71, and fill it with new silica gel 72 or regenerated silica gel 72 from which moisture has been removed.

[0016] Furthermore, when the oil 74 in the respiratory unit 75 becomes contaminated, the oil container 77 is removed from the oil container holder 76 and the contaminated oil 74 is replaced with new oil.

[0017] However, conventional dehumidifying respirators require regular inspection and replacement of silica gel 72, and if the replacement is done in the rain, the new silica gel 72 absorbs moisture during the process and deteriorates.

[0018] Furthermore, the contaminated oil 74 in the respiratory apparatus 75 requires regular inspection and replacement, and the disposal of the oil 74 poses pollution problems. In addition, drying and regenerating the silica gel 72 extracted from the hygroscopic respiratory apparatus requires heat treatment. This heat treatment is time-consuming and requires electricity to use thermal energy, thus posing an environmental problem in terms of CO2 reduction, as well as being uneconomical. Moreover, when disposing of the extracted silica gel, it must be treated as industrial waste, resulting in high disposal costs.

[0019] To address these issues, a dehumidifying respirator with a heater that eliminates the need to replace the desiccant, as shown in Figure 7, has been disclosed (Patent Document 2). However, even with a dehumidifying respirator with a heater, the following problems remain.

[0020] A heated dehumidifying respirator has a function to regenerate the desiccant 84 by heating and drying it through the installation of a heater 83 inside the respirator body. However, it is necessary to avoid the moisture adsorbed by the desiccant 84 being drawn into the conservator side during heating and drying, as this would impair the conservator's original moisture-proofing function.

[0021] Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which moisture generated by drying the desiccant is stored in a water vapor storage tank installed in the vent pipe connecting the pressure relief space 65 and the moisture-absorbing respirator. However, there is a risk of the accumulated moisture being periodically drained, and of the moisture that was supposed to have been removed entering the pressure relief space 65 or corroding the inside of the vent pipe.

[0022] Therefore, there are also models equipped with a control mechanism and a valve mechanism for stopping the heating by the heater 83 when air is flowing on the conservator side (that is, when a temperature decrease in the outside air is detected).

[0023] Since this control mechanism is generally composed of consumer electronic circuits, it becomes a component with a short service life of about 10 years in relation to a transformer, which is a product with a long service life of 30 years or more, and there are problems with consistency. In addition, there are also events in which the electronic circuit fails due to lightning strikes or surges associated with the opening and closing of the power transmission path.

[0024] In addition, power supply work for the moisture breather, which was not necessary conventionally, is required to heat the heater. This additional labor is also involved, and since control may be required, it becomes an expensive device economically, and there are also problems with the investment effect in relation to maintenance costs.

[0025] Furthermore, in operation, there are problems with the heating energy cost of this heater and the environmental problem due to CO2. As a power source for heating this heater, a structure using the solar panel 85 shown in FIG. 7 has also been devised.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0026]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0027] Summarizing the above, the prior art has the following problems.

[0028] (1) In the structure of FIG. 6, it is necessary to manage and confirm the change in the hue of the desiccant through daily maintenance inspections. Visually checking the degree of change of the desiccant in the moisture breather every day is very laborious and time-consuming, and the burden is large, and improvement is required.

[0029] (2) In the structure shown in Figure 6, the desiccant needs to be replaced approximately every six months, and if the desiccant is not recycled, it will need to be disposed of properly as industrial waste.

[0030] (3) When regenerating the desiccant shown in Figure 6, heat treatment is required, and the cost of processing using commercial power will also be incurred.

[0031] (4) A dehumidifying respirator with a heater requires a separate power supply for the heater. When replacing an existing product, this power wiring work is required, as well as the daily electricity costs for heating using the commercial power supply.

[0032] (5) Heater-equipped dehumidifying respirators require control based on the ambient temperature, which necessitates a control circuit, contributing to their high price.

[0033] (6) In a humidifying respirator with a heater, the expected lifespan of the control circuit is short, about 10 years, and maintenance costs will also be incurred.

[0034] (7) In the structure using solar panels as shown in Figure 7, the moisture that has been absorbed by the desiccant to prevent it from entering the conservator is heated up and turns into water vapor, which rises due to the heat and either enters the pressure relief space of the conservator or condenses inside the vent pipe, causing corrosion of the vent pipe.

[0035] (8) The electronic circuit that controls the heated humidifier is susceptible to failure due to surges caused by lightning or the switching of power lines.

[0036] Based on the above, the challenge is to provide a hygroscopic breathing apparatus that achieves reduced maintenance, energy savings, CO2 reduction, and sustainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0037] The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and one aspect thereof is characterized by comprising: a desiccant storage container for storing a desiccant inside; a first layer desiccant chamber provided on the inlet side of the desiccant storage container for the inflow and outflow of air to and from the outside; a second layer desiccant chamber provided on the vent pipe side of the desiccant storage container connected to a conservator; a solar panel; and a heating device provided in the first layer desiccant chamber for performing a heating and regeneration treatment of the desiccant using an electric current generated by the solar panel.

[0038] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the device is characterized by comprising a desiccant compartmentalization insulation layer provided between the first layer desiccant chamber and the second layer desiccant chamber, and an air inlet / outlet insulation layer provided between the first layer desiccant chamber and the outlet / outlet inlet.

[0039] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the moisture-absorbing insulating layer and the air inflow / outflow insulating layer are characterized in that they have ventilation holes for the outflow and inflow of air.

[0040] Another embodiment is characterized by comprising a desiccant storage container for storing a desiccant inside, a solar panel, a heating device provided inside the desiccant storage container for performing a heat regeneration process of the desiccant using an electric current generated by the solar panel, an upper air chamber provided at the top of the desiccant storage container, and a lower air chamber provided at the bottom of the desiccant storage container, wherein an inlet and outlet for the inflow and outflow of air to and from the outside is connected to the upper air chamber, and a vent pipe connected to the conservator is provided in the lower air chamber.

[0041] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the moisture-absorbing material storage container is characterized in that an insulating layer is provided on the inside.

[0042] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second layer moisture-absorbing chamber is characterized by being provided with a viewing window.

[0043] Another embodiment is characterized in that the desiccant storage container is provided with a viewing window.

[0044] Furthermore, one embodiment of the solar panel is characterized by the inclusion of LED lights connected in parallel with the solar panel.

[0045] Furthermore, one embodiment of this configuration is characterized by setting the azimuth angle of the solar panel so that sunlight faces it directly between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM in May.

[0046] Furthermore, one embodiment of this invention is characterized in that the solar panel is installed at an inclination angle of 25 to 30 degrees relative to the ground surface.

[0047] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the solar panel is installed in a location where no shade is generated before 12:00 and where it is difficult for it to be exposed to sunlight after 12:00. [Effects of the Invention]

[0048] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a moisture-absorbing respirator that reduces maintenance, saves energy, reduces CO2 emissions, and achieves sustainability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0049] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a moisture-absorbing respirator in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing a moisture-absorbing respirator in Embodiment 2. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the expected oil temperature changes in a power transformer. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the azimuth angle and tilt angle of the solar panel in Embodiment 3. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a typical transformer. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a conventional hygroscopic respirator. [Figure 7] A diagram showing another example of a conventional hygroscopic respirator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0050] Embodiments 1 to 3 of the moisture-absorbing respirator according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0051] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 shows the moisture-absorbing respirator in this first embodiment. The overall configuration of this first embodiment is the same as in Figure 5, and includes a tank 1 for containing the contents of the transformer, a conservator 3 connected to the top of the tank 1 through a connecting pipe 2, a vent pipe 4 extending further up the conservator 3, a moisture-absorbing respirator 5 installed in the middle of the vent pipe 4, and insulating oil 6 filled in the tank 1. However, in Figure 1, the tank 1, connecting pipe 2, conservator 3, insulating oil 6, etc. are omitted.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1, the moisture-absorbing respirator 5 of this embodiment 1 includes a desiccant storage container 8, a heating device 9, and an insulating layer 10.

[0053] The desiccant storage container 8 has a first layer desiccant chamber 20 and a second layer desiccant chamber 21 inside, and stores desiccants in both the first layer desiccant chamber 20 and the second layer desiccant chamber 21. The first layer desiccant chamber 20 is located on the side of the desiccant storage container 8 where air flows in and out with the outside (condensation drain) 40. The second layer desiccant chamber 21 is located on the side of the desiccant storage container 8 where the ventilation pipe 4 is connected to the conservator 3.

[0054] Figure 1 shows an example in which a condensation drain 40 is provided at the lower end of the desiccant storage container 8, and a ventilation pipe 4 is placed at the upper end of the desiccant storage container 8. This positional relationship and configuration can be changed by adding internal ventilation pipes, etc., but this example will be used for explanation.

[0055] The condensation drain 40 is a commercially available component that has a hole connecting the top and bottom of the component, allowing air to move through it, but also has a filter inside that restricts air movement as long as there is no pressure difference between the top and bottom of the component, thus preventing the ingress of debris.

[0056] Furthermore, the desiccant storage container 8 may be provided with an inlet (filling cap (12)) and an outlet (removal cap (11)) for the desiccant, as shown in Figure 6.

[0057] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are identical or common to each figure, and redundant explanations are omitted below.

[0058] An insulating layer 10 is provided on the inside of the desiccant storage container 8. In this embodiment 1, the insulating layer 10 is an insulating material having a hollow cylindrical shape. In addition, a desiccant compartmental insulating layer 11 is provided to divide the inside of the desiccant storage container 8 into upper and lower sections. Here, the part of the inside of the desiccant storage container 8 below the desiccant compartmental insulating layer 11 is designated as the first layer desiccant chamber 20, and the part above it is designated as the second layer desiccant chamber 21. Furthermore, an air inlet / outlet side insulating layer 12 is provided at the lower end of the insulating layer 10. The insulating layer 10, the desiccant compartmental insulating layer 11, and the air inlet / outlet side insulating layer 12 are made of a breathable insulating material such as glass wool.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, a heating device 9 is provided in the center of the first layer desiccant chamber 20 inside the desiccant storage container 8. The heating device 9 is, for example, a heater made of electric heating wire, and its shape may be spirally wound (coil-shaped) or formed in a panel shape. Note that the upper second layer desiccant chamber 21, which is divided into two layers by an insulating disc plate (desiccant compartment insulating layer 11), does not have a heating device 9.

[0060] If ventilation is insufficient, the moisture-absorbing insulation layer 11 and the air inlet / outlet insulation layer 12 may have holes that are too small for the moisture absorber to pass through.

[0061] A solar panel 7 is provided as the power source for the heating device 9. The solar panel 7 is connected to the heating device 9 via wiring 50 and a terminal box 51. An LED light 61 is also connected in parallel to the solar panel 7.

[0062] The features of this first embodiment are as follows:

[0063] (1) A heating device 9 powered by a solar panel 7 is built into the dehumidifying respirator 5. By incorporating the heating device 9, the replacement of the desiccant is unnecessary. In addition, normal electricity costs are eliminated, resulting in energy savings and decarbonization.

[0064] (2) An insulating layer 10 is installed inside the desiccant storage container 8. This improves the energy efficiency of the heat treatment and reduces the required capacity of the solar panel 7. It also reduces the required capacity of the conventional desiccant breather 5.

[0065] (3) By providing a heating device 9 powered by a solar panel 7, the heating device 9 is heated only during the daytime when sunlight is available, and no heating is performed during the time when the temperature drops at night and air is drawn in to the transformer side, thus eliminating the need for a temperature control circuit due to the drop in outside temperature. In addition, in the exceptional case where the nighttime load increases more than the daytime load and the load is subsequently shut off during the day, the desiccant storage section is made into a two-layer structure to prevent water vapor generated by heating from entering the conservator 3 side.

[0066] (4) Since drying and regeneration can be carried out on a daily basis, the amount of desiccant needs to be determined by considering only periods with less sunlight, such as the rainy season or winter, and the amount of desiccant can be reduced. In other words, in the case of a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the cylinder can be reduced and the amount of desiccant can be reduced by 25% to 50% depending on the installation environment, thereby saving resources and making the unit smaller.

[0067] [A mechanism that eliminates the control circuit of conventional heated dehumidifying respirators] The solar panel 7 undergoes a heat regeneration process for the desiccant through a heating device 9. This heat regeneration process is carried out during the exhaust process from the conservator 3, which is caused by the expansion of insulating oil in response to rising daytime temperatures and increased load. Therefore, the process is carried out without drawing adsorbed moisture into the transformer or conservator 3.

[0068] Furthermore, the desiccant storage container 8 is divided into two layers: a first layer desiccant chamber 20 with a heating device 9 and a second layer desiccant chamber 21 without a heating device 9. Therefore, although it is an extremely exceptional operation, even if the unit is operated under a large load when there is no sunlight, such as during nighttime operation, and sunlight is generated during the process of the unit temperature decreasing, causing the heating device 9 to heat up, and the load is then stopped, the intake of moisture into the conservator 3 can be limited. In other words, the water vapor generated during the heating and regeneration process of the first layer desiccant chamber 20 is adsorbed in the second layer desiccant chamber 21, limiting the intake of moisture into the conservator 3. This eliminates the need for the control circuit attached to conventional desiccant respirators with heaters.

[0069] [Mechanism to reduce solar panel capacity and conventional moisture-absorbing respirator capacity] As shown in the example in Figure 1, by installing an insulating layer 10 inside the desiccant storage container 8, the power supply capacity from the solar panel 7 can be efficiently reduced. Furthermore, since the heat regeneration process of the desiccant can be completed in about 2 to 3 hours, the required volume of desiccant can be calculated based on the amount of sunlight and periods of insufficient sunlight in the installation environment, and can be significantly reduced.

[0070] Generally, the desiccant capacity of conventional dehumidifying respirators is set to a capacity that requires approximately 6 months of adsorbed moisture. In this embodiment 1, the capacity can be set to a level that addresses concerns about approximately one month of continuous sunshine deficiency during the rainy season on the Pacific coast south of Kanto. This can be determined by the actual solar power generation efficiency of the installation area. From the above, it is possible to set the capacity to 1 / 6, but since it is a two-layer system, the required capacity can be 2 / 6 of twice this capacity. However, considering the possibility of climate change, it is desirable to halve it (3 / 6) for operational purposes. In this case, it would be a 50% reduction.

[0071] Furthermore, in the case of Akita Prefecture, which has few hours of sunshine, the average sunshine duration is about 2 hours / day, but last winter there were about 1 sunny day per week. It is also necessary to consider periods of continuous sunshine deficiency in the past, so it was necessary to set a period of sunshine deficiency of about 1.5 months. From the above, it is possible to use 1 / 4 of the capacity, but since it will be a two-tiered system, the required capacity can be 2 / 4 of twice this capacity. However, considering the possibility of climate change, it is desirable to use 3 / 4 for operational purposes. In this case, it will be a 25% reduction.

[0072] [Heat regeneration process of desiccant using solar panels as a power source] Let's explain using silica gel as an example. The silica gel aggregate consists of micropores, mesopores, and macropores. Adsorbed H2O is returned to the gas phase and desorbed by heater heating.

[0073] The maximum heater temperature at this time is designed with an upper limit of 280-40=240K, taking into account the highest ambient temperature (for example, 40°C), in order to keep the direct contact temperature with the silica gel condensate below 280°C.

[0074] Furthermore, the temperature inside the desiccant storage container 8 is designed to be between 105°C and 200°C by appropriately setting the amount of heat supplied and the insulation layer 10. To improve this heating efficiency, an insulation layer 10 is placed inside the desiccant storage container 8 to reduce heat dissipation from the container 8. The thickness t of the insulation layer 10 required to keep the temperature inside the desiccant storage container 8 within the appropriate range can be calculated using the following formula.

[0075] G = K × A / t G: conductance, K: thermal conductivity (W / mK), A: cross-sectional area (m²), t: thickness (m).

[0076] ΔT = Q / G ΔT: Temperature difference with the outside air, Q: Amount of heat generated by the heater (W).

[0077] [Regarding protection and conservation management] An LED light 61 is connected in parallel to the solar panel 7. In the example shown in Figure 1, a viewing window 60 is provided in the second layer desiccant chamber 21 of the desiccant storage container 8 to check for changes in the color of the desiccant. The LED light 61 is provided to monitor for any power generation malfunctions of the solar panel 7. Furthermore, by providing the LED light 61, it is possible to detect malfunctions in the heat regeneration process or the occurrence of unusual load conditions by observing the color change of the desiccant in the second layer desiccant chamber 21. Since this can be checked during a periodic inspection every six months rather than a daily inspection, daily maintenance is greatly simplified.

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment 1, it is possible to provide a dehumidifying respirator that eliminates the need to replace the desiccant, reduces the amount required compared to conventional products, saves energy by drying the desiccant using natural energy, achieves carbon neutrality, and reduces the effort and labor costs required for replacing the desiccant, the electricity costs required for drying, and other expenses. The effects of each will be explained in detail below.

[0079] The moisture-absorbing respirator 5 is powered by solar energy from the solar panel 7 to the heating device 9 during the daytime on sunny days, and the heating device 9 promotes the drying and regeneration of the desiccant. This eliminates the need for commercial energy costs required for drying, as well as the need for daily inspection and replacement of the desiccant based on changes in its hue, making its maintenance-free.

[0080] Furthermore, by continuously regenerating the desiccant (silica gel), the need to replace the desiccant is eliminated. In addition, the need to dispose of the desiccant as industrial waste is eliminated, which reduces costs.

[0081] Furthermore, as the temperature rises on sunny days, the temperature of the transformer itself also rises. As a result, the water vapor generated by heating in the heating device 9 is released to the outside along with the air expelled from the conservator 3 due to the expansion of the oil, and does not enter the conservator 3.

[0082] However, rarely, when the sun is obscured (at night), after the main unit load has reached its peak and the outside temperature has dropped, causing the oil to cool, the sun may come out and power is supplied to the heating device 9, generating steam.

[0083] In this case, to prevent the water vapor generated from being drawn into the conservator 3, this embodiment 1 has a structure that separates the conservator into two layers: a first layer desiccant chamber 20 containing a heating device 9, and a second layer desiccant chamber 21 that does not contain a heating device 9. As a result, the water vapor generated in the first layer desiccant chamber 20 is absorbed in the second layer desiccant chamber 21.

[0084] Because the structure prevents the water vapor generated by the heating device 9 from entering the conservator 3, the control circuit for the heating device 9, which was required for conventional heater-equipped dehumidifying respirators, becomes unnecessary.

[0085] Furthermore, the presence of the insulating layer 10 allows for a 25% to 50% reduction in the required capacity of the moisture-absorbing respirator 5 compared to conventional designs. Additionally, the presence of the insulating layer 10 reduces the energy required for drying, thus reducing the required capacity of the solar panel 7.

[0086] [Embodiment 2] Figure 2 shows the structure of the moisture-absorbing respirator 5 of this second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the inside of the desiccant storage container 8 is divided into a first layer desiccant chamber 20 and a second layer desiccant chamber 21. By heating the desiccant in the first layer desiccant chamber 20 and absorbing the water vapor generated in the second layer desiccant chamber 21, water vapor is prevented from entering the conservator 3.

[0087] In this second embodiment, instead of dividing the inside of the desiccant storage container 8 into two layers, a ventilation pipe 4 connected to the conservator 3 is provided in the lower air chamber 14, and an inlet / outlet (condensation drain 40) for the inflow and outflow of air to and from the outside is connected to the upper air chamber 15 via an intake / exhaust pipe 16.

[0088] In Figure 2, the terminal box 51 is provided on the cover 17 located at the upper end of the desiccant storage container 8, but it may also be provided at the bottom of the container, as in Embodiment 1.

[0089] The features of this second embodiment are shown below.

[0090] (1) A heating device 9 powered by a solar panel 7 is built into the dehumidifying respirator 5. This eliminates the need to replace the desiccant. In addition, it eliminates the need for normal electricity costs, thus contributing to energy saving and decarbonization.

[0091] (2) An insulating layer 10 is installed inside the desiccant storage container 8. This improves the energy efficiency of the heat treatment and reduces the required capacity of the solar panel 7. It also reduces the required capacity of the conventional desiccant breather 5.

[0092] (3) Above and below the desiccant, a lower air chamber 14 and an upper air chamber 15 are provided, each approximately 10-20% of the volume of the desiccant, to ensure that the air passing through the desiccant is as uniform as possible. Between the lower air chamber 14 and the desiccant storage container 8, a mesh 13 with a finer mesh than the particles of the desiccant is placed to prevent the desiccant from falling into the lower air chamber 14.

[0093] (4) By using a heating device 9 to heat only during the daytime when sunlight is available, the heating process is not performed during the time when the temperature drops at night and air is drawn into the transformer side. Therefore, a temperature control circuit due to the drop in outside temperature is not required.

[0094] Furthermore, in exceptional cases where the nighttime load increases more than the daytime load and the load is subsequently stopped during the day, a vent pipe 4 connected to the conservator 3 is provided in the lower air chamber 14, and an inlet / outlet (condensation drain 40) for the inflow and outflow of air to and from the outside is connected to the upper air chamber 15 via an intake / exhaust pipe 16. As a result, water vapor generated during the heating process rises and accumulates in the upper air chamber 15, and before it can enter through the vent pipe 4 in the lower air chamber 14, it must pass through the desiccant again, making it difficult for moisture to enter the conservator 3.

[0095] (5) Since drying and regeneration can be carried out on a daily basis, the amount of desiccant needed to be selected only for periods with less sunlight, such as the rainy season or winter, can be reduced. In other words, in the case of a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the cylinder can be reduced, and the amount of desiccant can be reduced by 25% to 50% depending on the installation environment, thereby saving resources and making the unit smaller.

[0096] [A mechanism that eliminates the control circuit of conventional heated dehumidifying respirators] The solar panel 7 undergoes a heat regeneration process for the desiccant through a heating device 9. This process is carried out during the exhaust process from the conservator due to the expansion of insulating oil in response to rising daytime temperatures and increased load. Therefore, the process is carried out without drawing adsorbed moisture into the transformer or conservator 3.

[0097] Furthermore, by providing a vent pipe 4 connected to the conservator 3 in the lower air chamber 14, and connecting an inlet / outlet (condensation drain 40) for the inflow and outflow of air to the outside to the upper air chamber 15 via an intake / exhaust pipe 16, the water vapor generated by the heating process rises and accumulates in the upper air chamber 15. To enter through the vent pipe 4 in the lower air chamber 14, it must pass through the desiccant again, making it difficult for moisture to enter the conservator 3. This eliminates the need for the control circuit that is attached to conventional heater-equipped dehumidifying respirators.

[0098] [Mechanism to reduce solar panel capacity and conventional moisture-absorbing respirator capacity] As shown in the example in Figure 2, by installing an insulating layer 10 inside the desiccant storage container 8, the power supply capacity from the solar panel 7 can be efficiently reduced. Furthermore, since the desiccant can be regenerated by heating in about 2 to 3 hours, the required volume of desiccant can be calculated based on the amount of sunlight and periods of insufficient sunlight in the installation environment, allowing for a significant reduction in the required volume.

[0099] Generally, the desiccant capacity of conventional dehumidifying respirators is set to a capacity that can absorb moisture for about 6 months. In this embodiment 2, the capacity can be set to a level that can withstand the continuous lack of sunshine for about a month during the rainy season in the Pacific coastal areas south of Kanto. This can be determined by the actual solar power generation efficiency of the installation area. As described above, although the desiccant storage container 8 is more complex than in embodiment 1, the capacity of the desiccant can be reduced to 1 / 6. However, considering the possibility of climate change, it is assumed that twice the required amount will be used in practice, resulting in 2 / 6 of the required amount.

[0100] [Regarding protection and conservation management] An LED light 61 is connected in parallel to the solar panel 7. In the example shown in Figure 2, a viewing window 60 is installed in the desiccant storage container 8 to check for changes in the color of the desiccant. The LED light 61 can be used to monitor for any power generation malfunctions in the solar panel 7, and the change in the color of the desiccant can also be used to detect malfunctions in the regeneration drying process or the occurrence of unusual load conditions. Since this can be checked during a periodic inspection every six months rather than a daily inspection, daily maintenance is greatly simplified.

[0101] As described above, this second embodiment provides the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment.

[0102] [Embodiment 3] Figure 3 shows the expected oil temperature changes of a power transformer. As shown in Figure 3, in a typical oil-filled transformer, power is consumed between 8:00 and 17:00 when factories and office buildings are active. The load increases as the daytime temperature rises, and the transformer reaches its highest temperature between 13:00 and 15:00. Then, as the load decreases and the temperature drops, the temperature decreases, reaching its lowest temperature before sunrise.

[0103] In the moisture-absorbing respirator 5, the exhaust operation is performed between 8:00 and 13:00 as the temperature rises, and the exhaust operation stops when the maximum temperature is reached.

[0104] Subsequently, as the transformer temperature decreases, the intake operation gradually begins and stops before sunrise the following day, when the temperature is at its lowest. In conjunction with this intake and exhaust operation, it is necessary to heat the heater 9 built into the humidifying respirator, and it is preferable to install the solar panel 7 so that the heating energy of the heater 9 is maximized around 10:30 a.m., when the exhaust operation is most active.

[0105] This third embodiment describes a preferred method for installing the solar panel 7 in accordance with this intake and exhaust operation. This third embodiment is applicable to the moisture-absorbing respirators of embodiments 1 and 2.

[0106] As shown in Figure 4, the azimuth angle (direction parallel to the ground surface) of the solar panel 7 is set so that the time when sunlight is directly in front of the solar panel 7 is around 10:30 a.m. in May (with a tolerance of up to 30 minutes before or after).

[0107] To ensure that sunlight is perpendicular to the solar panel 7 during the above time period (around 10:30 AM in May), the tilt angle of the solar panel 7 relative to the ground surface is set between 25 and 30 degrees, as shown in Figure 4. The range in the tilt angle takes into account the latitude of Japan.

[0108] In other words, the azimuth and tilt angles of solar panel 7 were determined based on the fact that Japan's latitude is between 20 degrees North and 46 degrees North, and its longitude is between approximately 122 degrees East and 154 degrees East.

[0109] Furthermore, the location for installing solar panel 7 should be a place where it receives ample sunlight in the morning and is shaded in the afternoon. In this case, the eastern side of the transformer itself is the primary location, but the eastern side of buildings within the substation is also acceptable. Additionally, a sunshade may be installed on the western side of solar panel 7.

[0110] [Azimuth and tilt angles of the solar panel for efficiently heating and drying the silica gel inside the moisture-absorbing respirator] The times of year when the humidity of the outside air is high are during the rainy season and when rainfall increases due to the autumn rain front and typhoons. Therefore, it is preferable that silica gel 2 be dried before these periods so that its moisture absorption capacity is high. Also, relatively fine weather and high temperatures are more suitable for heating silica gel 2.

[0111] In Japan, May is the most suitable time of year for this purpose. If the solar panel 7 is set to have its highest power generation efficiency in May, power generation will also be high in August, before the autumn rain front and typhoon season. Furthermore, during that period, the sun's altitude in Japan is between 60 and 65 degrees around 10:30 AM, when the exhaust flow rate from the pressure relief space 65 is greatest. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the azimuth angle of the solar panel 7 should be set so that sunlight is directly in front of the solar panel 7 around 10:30 AM in May (with a 30-minute margin of error), and the tilt angle relative to the ground should be between 25 and 30 degrees.

[0112] [Location for installing solar panels] In the afternoon, as the temperature of the oil-filled transformer body begins to drop, the intake of air into the pressure relief space 65, which begins as the temperature of the equipment decreases, requires heating by the heater 9 to prevent the intake of moisture generated from the silica gel 2 in the moisture-absorbing respirator. Therefore, there is no need to heat the silica gel 2 after 13:00 when the temperature of the transformer 30 reaches its maximum temperature; in fact, it is preferable for it to be easily cooled. Considering these conditions, and taking into account the time it takes for the heated silica gel 2 to cool, it is effective for the solar panel 7 not to be exposed to sunlight after 12:00, one hour before the transformer 30 reaches its maximum temperature.

[0113] As described above, according to this embodiment 3, in addition to the effects and advantages of embodiments 1 and 2, the following effects and advantages are also available.

[0114] During the day, the amount of moisture evaporated from the silica gel 2 in the humid respirator 5 can be maximized between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, when the exhaust flow rate from the pressure relief space 65 is highest.

[0115] By drying the silica gel 2 before the rainy season, autumn rain fronts, and typhoons, when the amount of rainfall increases due to the high moisture content in the outside air, it is possible to make it easier to absorb moisture, thereby effectively reducing the effect of moisture penetrating the insulating oil 6 inside the oil-filled transformer.

[0116] By positioning the solar panel 7 so that it is shaded after 12:00, the amount of moisture evaporating from the silica gel 2 when the oil enters the pressure relief space 65 can be suppressed, and the amount of moisture entering the pressure relief space 65 after 15:00 when the oil temperature begins to drop can be suppressed.

[0117] By drying the entire silica gel 2, the amount of silica gel 2 required can be reduced by 25% to 50% compared to the amount used in conventional dehumidifying respirators, thus conserving resources.

[0118] Although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to the specific examples described above, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a wide variety of modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, and it is natural that such modifications and alterations fall within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1... Tank 2…Connecting pipe 3…Conservator 4…Ventilation pipe 5…Hygroscopic respirator 6…Insulating oil 7…Solar panels 8… Desiccant storage container 9… Heating device (heater) 10…Insulation layer 11… Moisture-absorbing material insulated layer 12…Insulation layer on the air inlet / outlet side 13... Mesh 14…Lower air chamber 15… Upper air chamber 16… Intake and exhaust pipes 17…cover 20…First layer moisture absorbent chamber 21...Second layer moisture absorbent chamber 30... Transformer 40... Outlet / Outlet (Condensation Drain) 50...Wiring 51...Terminal box 60... peephole 61…LED light 65... Pressure-relief space

Claims

1. A desiccant storage container that stores a desiccant inside, A first layer desiccant chamber is provided within the desiccant storage container on the inlet side for the exchange of air with the outside, A second layer of desiccant chamber is provided within the aforementioned desiccant storage container on the side of the vent pipe connected to the conservator, Solar panels and A heating device is provided in the first layer moisture absorbent chamber and performs a heat regeneration process of the moisture absorbent using an electric current generated by the solar panel, A hygroscopic respirator characterized by having the following features.

2. A moisture-absorbing insulating layer is provided between the first moisture-absorbing chamber and the second moisture-absorbing chamber, An air inlet / outlet insulation layer is provided between the first layer moisture-absorbing chamber and the outlet / outlet, A moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the above.

3. The moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 2, characterized in that the moisture-absorbing insulating layer and the air inflow / outflow insulating layer have vents for air to flow in and out.

4. A moisture-absorbing respirator according to any one of 1 to 3, characterized in that an insulating layer is provided on the inside of the moisture-absorbing container.

5. A moisture-absorbing respirator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a viewing window is provided in the second layer moisture-absorbing chamber.

6. The moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with an LED light connected in parallel to the solar panel.

7. The moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 1, characterized in that the azimuth angle of the solar panel is set so that sunlight faces it directly between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in May.

8. The moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 7, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the solar panel with respect to the ground surface is set at 25 to 30 degrees with respect to the ground surface.

9. The moisture-absorbing respirator according to claim 8, characterized in that the solar panel is installed in a position where no shade is generated before 12:00 and where sunlight is less likely to hit it after 12:00.

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