How is moisture removed from silicone oil, and why is moisture removal necessary?

Moisture is removed through:

Vacuum Dehydration: Applying vacuum conditions to lower the boiling point of water, allowing it to evaporate at lower temperatures.
Heating: Raising the oil temperature to facilitate moisture evaporation.
Adsorption: Using desiccant materials to absorb water molecules from the oil.
Centrifugation: Separating water droplets from oil using centrifugal force.
Moisture removal is necessary because water significantly reduces the dielectric strength of silicone oil, increasing the risk of electrical failures. Moisture can also promote chemical reactions that degrade the oil and damage transformer components. Keeping the oil dry is essential for safe and efficient transformer operation.