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Oil Purification Methods GlobeCore

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Oil Purification systems

Classic Ways of Used Oil Purification

In today’s industrial environment, all the Used Oil Purification Methods are divided into such groups as:

  1. Physical Used Oil Purification Method;
  2. Chemical Used Oil Purification Method;
  3. Combined Method of Used Oil Purification.

A particular purification method is chosen depending on the amount and the degree of the used oil’s contamination.  If oil is contaminated only with mechanical impurities, then it may be enough to carry out a simple purification.  But sometimes, oil that is very contaminated should be processed by chemical reagents.

Transformer oil purificaiton

Transformer oil purificaiton

Physical Oil Purification Methods

Physical methods provide for removing only mechanical impurities such as sand, dust, metallic particles, resinous, and coke-like and carbon materials.  In this way, the chemical base of the oil being processed remains unchanged.

In practical terms, physical methods such as sedimentation, filtration, centrifugal separation, distillation of fuel and water washing have gained a widespread acceptance in the industry today.

Sedimentation

Sedimentation is considered to be the first, and a necessary stage of the purification process. It consists in quiescent sedimentation of mechanical impurities and water that are in a suspended state.  In this case, gravitational force plays a very essential role.  According to the Stokes equation, we may say that the greater size and the specific weight of the mechanical particles, the faster the mechanical particles will settle down.

Metallic particles, resinous substances and coke-like materials are more likely to settle down than any other substances.  It is worth mentioning that the  used oil sedimentation method does not always lead to the desired effect.  Sometimes, even when the processing time is increased, the majority of the impurities will remain in a suspension phase.  This always happens when purifying used diesel and automobile oils that contain dispersing additives  as well as oils that are contaminated by finely divided additives.

Oil Separation

Separation features a centrifugal process. Centrifugal forces exert influence on the heaviest particles that tend to be drawn to the vessel walls thereby forming a circular sedimentary horizon. The second sedimentation layer consists of water when the third one – of purified oil.

 Oil Filtration

Filtration consists in separating inhomogeneous systems with diffusion barriers.  They are able to retain some particles and at the same time  give way to other particles.

Fuel Distillation

Fuel distillation is applied when processing oils from internal combustion engines.  It is impossible to obtain oil of the necessary viscosity and with the required flash point without fuel distillation.  The difference between boiling temperatures of oil and fuel is the basis for fuel distillation.   When heating up the used material, the fuel, and then oil, will start to evaporate.  When oil fractions start evaporating, the heat should be removed.

Water Washing

Water washing is applied if oils need to be cleaned from acid products (water-soluble low-molecular acids and soaps).  Water washing however, will not restore the performance characteristics of oil completely if it has become old and highly contaminated.  When acids are dissolved, water is separated from oil at 60ºС in the course of using the separation method.

Physicochemical Used Oil Purification Methods

Coagulation

Coagulation allows for improvement of used oil filtration as well as removal of impurities that are in a suspension state or have not been removed in the coarse of other physical methods.  Coagulation is a coalescence of colloid particles.  This method may be implemented if:

  1.  to add special agents to oil (electrolyte and non-electrolyte fluids);
  2.  to perform mechanical effects (blending or shaking);
  3. to heat or to cool the oil;
  4. to pass the electric current;
  5. to use radial energy.

In each case, coagulation occurs since the connection between contaminated particles and their dispersed medium become weak.

Substances that cause coagulation are divided into four groups such as:

  1. electrolyte fluids (trisodium phosphate, calcinated water). They create a double electric field on the surface of the particles;
  2. ionic surface agents with active organic cation or anion;
  3. non-ionic surfactants;
  4. Surface-active colloids and hydrophilic high-molecular compounds.

The following is a description of a common coagulation procedure. At the first stage, oil is heated up to between 75º and 90ºC and then is blended with a 10% solution of coagulant for between 20 and 30 minutes.  Then it is allowed to settle down for 2 days.  Oil is treated on a special equipment after the sediments are removed.

Adsorption

Adsorption consists in retaining impurities on the surface of adsorber material.  The latter is able to retain asphaltic resinous substances such as acid compounds, ethers and other products of aging.

The distinctive feature of this method is that it is easy-to-perform and can be used to purify the majority of the used oils.  Substances such as silica gel, aluminium oxide, bleaching clays and silica-alumina catalysts may serve as adsorbents.

The majority of them are artificial and very expensive.  Bleaching clays however, are an exception since they have good adsorption properties and are typically derived from deposits commonly found most everywhere in the Earth.

ChemicalUsed Oil Purification Methods

Sulfuric Acid Refining

Sulfuric Acid refining is one of the oldest, but still one of the most effecive methods of oil purification.  It is used in the oil industry to remove  asphalt resinous substances,  acid containing and sulphur containing compounds, as well as other hazardous impurities.  Sulfuric acid refining results in obtaining a substance that is divided into two liquid phases.

On top, there is acid oil and on the bottom, an acid sludge.  Almost all hazardous wastes (except organic acids) are removed from the used oils together with acid sludge though the majority of the oil’s carbons will remain unchanged.

Alkali Purification

Alkali purification may be:

  1. an independent stage of purification;
  2. an initial phase of the alkali-earth purification;
  3. a final phase of  sulfuric acid refining.

Usually, caustic soda, calcined soda and trisodium phosphate are required to carry out the alkali purification.  As a result of the purification, there are sodium salts (soaps) that can be easily turned into the alkali solution. Additionally, soaps are usually easily and well dissolved in hot water.

When alkali purification is complete, oil should be allowed to settle down.

Combined Methods of Used Oil Purification

Taking everything into consideration, it is clear that oil should be processed by more than one recgonized method to obtain the desirable effect of the purification process.  In practical terms, a combination of methods is applied to purify oil.  GlobeCore is in the business of purification and regeneration of different types of mineral oils using classical as well as new and innovative methods.  GlobeCore’s advanced technology provides for the complete restoration of the performance characteristics of dielectric oil and other industrial oil and fluids while at the same time reducing operating costs and maintenance costs.

With GlobeCore equipment, you will be able to reduce your need to spend money on new oil purchase since regenerated oil is restored to its new like condiction and des not need to be replaced with expensive new oil.

The fact that GlobeCore equipment is environmentally friendly is of great benefit to the power transmission industry.  GlobeCore oil purification units produce no hazardous waste.  Adsorbent materials, used in GlobeCore equipment, are reactivated directly in the unit and may be used for between 2 and 3 years before being disposed of as non-hazardous waste.

The schedule of transformer oil maintenance oil type transformer maintenance

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oil type transformer maintenance

The frequency of transformers maintenance depends on the importance, design features and durability of transformers. The first step towards a preventive maintenance program is testing. Testing helps us to determine when a treatment is necessary.

WHY DO WE NEED TO CHECK TRANSFORMER OIL?

Transformer oil is an insulator between the metal parts of the transformer and the wiring within the tank. Over time, the oil can be contaminated with moisture or create combustible gases. By sampling and testing that oil, we can plan repairing or replacing the transformer before a failure occurs.

Maintenance Schedule for Oil Filled Power Transformers

Maintenance or Test

Recommended Interval

 

Reference

Transformer physical inspection

 

Annually

Leakage of oil and reading of MOG (Magnetic Oil Gage) of tanks

Daily

In case of unsatisfactory oil level in the MOG, oil to be filled in transformer and also the transformer tank to be checked for oil leakage. If oil leakage is found take required action to plug the leakage. If silica gel becomes pinkish, it should be replaced.

 

Dielectric strength test (BDV) and moisture content (PPM).

 

Annually

A dielectric strength is a measure of the voltage which is conducted by the transformer oil. At times it is the presence of contaminants which conduct electricity faster than the oil which in turn lowers the dielectric breakdown voltage

Neutralization test

 

Annually

This test which is carried out to ascertain the level of acid which is present in the oil. When oxidation occurs in the transformer oil, it leads to build-up of acid.

Dissolved Gas Analysis Test (DGA)

Annually for 132 KV transformer, once in 2 years for the transformer below 132 KV transformer and in 2 years interval for the transformer above 132 KV transformer.

 

It helps to analyze the gases which are present in the transformer oil.

Bushings– check of oil level

 

Weekly

If it is required, the oil to be filled in the bushing up to correct level. Oil filling to be done under shutdown condition.

 

Bushings –visual inspection

 

Annually

Bushings – visual inspection and cleaning

 

5 years

Interfacial tension test

This is a test which is carried out to detect the presence of polar compounds such as paint, varnish and paper.

Tan & delta test

One in two years

Finally the presence of water too is measured as water can decrease the dielectric breakdown voltage of the transformer oil

Colour test

This test indicates aging, quality and the presence of contaminants in the transformer oil.

Transformer excitation current test

 

5 years

Insulating oil   – DGA, physical,

and chemical tests

 

Anually

Top oil and winding thermometer

Inspection

 

Anually

Oil level indicator operation

 

5 years

Sudden pressure relay

5 years
oil type transformer maintenance

oil type transformer maintenance

So, for getting high performance and long functional life of the transformer, it is desired to perform various maintenance activities. GlobeCores’s oil reclamation equipment will keep your transformer oil in the best condition, providing with oil degassing, water and solids removal as well as acids reducing. It’s a fantastic transformer life!

GlobeCore Has Presented its Equipment in Armenia

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In February, GlobeCore staff delivered another presentation on its equipment.

GlobeCore managers visited Yerevan in order to meet with representatives of the power industry in Armenia.  The peculiarities of equipment, designed to purify and regenerate transformer oil and maintain power transformers were the main topics of the lecture. All the questions arouse were satisfied.

After the samples of used oil were processed on the GlobeCore unit, the people present had no doubts that GlobeCore equipment was able to solve even the most complicated tasks. It is easy-to-use and eco-friendly, reduces operational costs and valuable raw material.

In general, both parties were very satisfied by the results of the meeting. GlobeCore has gained new experience communicating with specialists of the electric power industry and the representatives of Armenia have received a great possibility to solve the problems, accumulated for decades.

Reliability of Low Voltage Power Transformers

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GlоbeCоre’s oil reclamation technology has been proven to cost effectively regenerate transformer oil thereby increasing the operational reliability of electric transmission equipment.

Before electric grid restructuring started, units with a voltage of between 110 and 500 kV (kilovolt) had constituted the greatest part of the fleet of transformers.  But the things have recently changed, today power companies routinely use transformers with voltage that is less than 110 kV with the majority of the transformers having a capacity of  less than 35 kV.

Table 1 analysis of the reasons for equipment damage depending on the point of fault.

Table 1

Damage Sources for Transformers with Voltage up to 35 kV

No.

Type of Fault

Rate of the total % of faults
1 Winding faults

19
2 Bushing insulator

3
3 Insulation faults

21
4 Insulation moistening

8
5 Oil

5
6 Voltage regulators

23
7 Contacts in windings

15
9 Other

6

As we can see, the greatest amount of damage is the result of insulation faults. That is why the condition of transformer oil is of such importance.  The efficiency of the entire insulation system (both solid and liquid) largely depends on the quality and condition of the dielectric transformer oil.  Such factors as temperature extremes, interaction with the atmospheric oxygen, and the accumulation of emulsion water have a negative impact not only on the performance characteristics of oil, but also on the condition of the solid insulation.  As a result, transformers break down prematurely even though their service life should be much longer.

Unfortunately, once the transformer has experienced a catastrophic failure,  there is only one solution to this problem.   The failed transformer willl have to be replaced by a new one.  But, such a strategy requires significant capital expenditures and leads to reduced profits and inefficient operations.

The solution to this problem is to call GlоbeCоre who is in the business of designing and producing equipment for purification and regeneration of transformer oils.

GlobeCore promotes and adheres to the principle of “preventive maintenance.”  That means that the causes of transformer damage are prevented in the first place during transformer servicing.  It is transformer oil purification that helps insulting oil maintain its performance characteristics at the proper level and slows down the process of its aging.

GlоbeCоre produces equipment that allows for complete processing of transformer oil (purification, dehydration, and degasifying) to restore the original performance characteristics of the dielectric oil.

GlоbeCоre equipment is also very eco-friendly: there are no harmful discharges into the air since it uses the sorbent that can be reactivated to prevent the penetration of oil residues into water and soil.  The service life of transformers with a voltage up to 35 kV may be extended by 10 years if negative impacts are reduced.

Drying of Transformer Oil

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During the operation of transformers, it is often required to add oil after taking certain samples. The oil should be prepared first before being added to the transformers oil system since it can accumulate moisture and gas while in storage.

If the transformer oil contains emulsified water, this water can be removed by a centrifuge.  The cetrifuge method separates materials with different densities.  When the mixture enters the rotating drum, it separates.  Particulate matter forms the outer ring, and the oil forms the inside ring, with water in the middle. Separation is achieved by plates inside the centrifuge.

Operation of the centrifuge depends on the amount of water in the oil.  In clarification mode, small amounts of water are separated and collected.  If the amount of water in the oil is higher than 0.5% of the total volume, the centrifuge operates in purification mode with continuous removal of water.

The intensity of the processes in the centrifuge increases significantly with higher temperatures. However, temperatures in excess of 70ºС/158ºF may also cause oil oxidation. In many centrifuges the oil is processed in vacuum.

The main disadvantage of this method is the complexity of the equipment, its setup and the relatively low processing rate due to the need to clean out the drum from time to time.

Emulsified and some solved water can also be removed by special filter-presses.  Transformer oil passes through a porous material which can trap moisture.  One of the possible media is soft cardboard which absorbs water rather well.  Such filters however, such can contaminate purified oil with paper fibers.  Cellulose in the oil can decrease dielectric strength of the oil and increases dissipation losses.

The most efficient approach to the drying of transformer oil is the thermovacuum processing method.  First the oil is subjected to vacuum and intensively emits gases and water vapor from the surface of the oil film.  Then emission slows, and to intensify the process the oil surface area is maximized, while the thickness of oil film is minimized.

It is also possible to dry oil by ultrasonic cavitation. Oil under vacuum is subjected to ultrasonic waves.  These ways cause formation of gas bubbles in the oil, and water evaporates inside the bubbles, which then rise to the surface to release the vapor.  This method is still in development.

Oil Reclamation as a Method of Improving Power SubStations

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Uninterrupted transformer oil regeneration

Industry is always looking for new ways in how to improve the efficiency of existing electric power transformers since the price for new equipment has been increasing significantly in the past twenty years.  Distribution substations and the transmission network are constantly working at peak or near peak capacity and that leads to much more rapid transformer wear and aging.  Especially hard hit is the transformer’s liquid and solid insulation.

If the insulating system is in bad condition, the dielectric properties of insulating oil will be reduced.  For such a prolem, GlobeCore has developed technology for the regeneration and purification of contaminated oil that restores the oil to its original new like condition.  Using this advance new technology, oil is circulated through the special regeneration columns filled with Fuller’s Earth sorbent materials.  Contaminated oil flows to the oil station and is sent back to the transformer in a clean, new like condition.

Since oil is continuously circulated through the unit, the contaminated oil residues are washed out from the transformer.  Fuller’s Earth (a naturally-occurring sorbent) absorbs impurities and contaminants.   The regeneration time will depend on the amount of oil that needs to be regenerated and the degree of its contamination.

GlоbeCоre equipment is desiged to work on energized transformers so there will be no, or minimal service interuptions.  Another benefit of GlobeCore equipment is that its mobility allows the operators to serve multiple pieces of equipment in remote locations without having to evacuate the transformer to a repair or maintenance facility.

GlobeCore regeneration technology allows transformer services companies to:

(1) restore oil to its original like new condition;

(2) extend the service life of transformers and improve their efficiency;

(3) carry out “preventive maintenance” in order to eliminate the need for corrective mainatenance;

(4) greatly reduce the need to by new oil;

(5) eliminate the need to dispose of used oil; and

(6) eliminate the risk of service trouble during power equipment operation;

GlobeCore technology provides for transformer service life extension, reduction in financial expenditures and improvement of equipment efficiency.  Contaminated oil residues significanly reduce the service life of windings and operational reliability of transformers.  Aging of oil-cellulose insulation may lead to irreversible consequences during  its expected service life.

GlobeCore technology increases transformer service life thereby reducing operating costs and improving operational reliability.

Contaminated oil residues reduce significantly the service life of windings and the transformer’s operational reliability.  Despite the fact that oil-cellulose insulation may be used for more than 25 years, contaminated oil will cause premature failure of the transformer long before the transformer is ready for retirement.

Factors that have a negative impact on the insulation system of the transformer

Factors

GlobeCore’s Equipment is Environmentally-Friendly

Oil Regeneration is better than an oil change

It is better to regenerate oil than to simply change it.  Products of degradation that have accumulated in the transformer’s solid insulation will get into the new oil within a few months of the oil change.  As a result, the new oil will lose its performance characteristics much more rapidly than with the GlobeCore rengernation process.

GlobeCore equipment is considered to be revolutionary since Fuller’s Earth (the active adsorbent filtering system) is able to absorb products of degradation.  Additionally, oil that is regenerated with GlobeCore equipment is much more resistant to aging.  When only changing the oil, there is always up to 15% of the contaminated oil left in the transformer that will accelerate the new oil’s aging.

Due to advanced GlobeCore technology, all contaminated oil residues are washed out of the transformer by the hot oil being circulated through a closed loop that includes the regeneration equipment and the transformer.

GlobeCore’s regeneration technology is eco-friendly does not generate hazardous waste while regenerating transformer oil and other industrial fluids and oils.  The Fuller’s Earth, used in the GlobeCore CMM-R line of equipment, absorbs all impurities and is reactivated directly in the equipment precluding the need to stop and dispose of used sorbent during the processing job.  Each load of Fuller’s Earth will last up to 300 regeneration cycles before needing to be replaced.

CMM-12R(2)

GlobeCore CMM-R line of equipment

GlobeCore technology distinguishes itself through the following features:

  •    Continuous autmoated and remote internet operation;
  •    Operating Cost reductions;
  •    Long-lasting oil and fluid purification effect;and
  •    Complete removal of contamnants from oil and solid insulation.

Removing Contaminants from Transformers

If your comapny does not perform reglarly scheduled preventive maintenance, unwanted sediments and other contaminants will accumulate in the crital areas of your transformers.  As a result, the performance characteristics of dielectric insulating oil will be reduced and the likelyhood of a transformer insulation failure will be greatly increased.

The GlobeCore Process of regeneraing dielectric insulating oil is able to dissolve and remove sediments at high temperatures from the transformer’s core and solid insulation. Even previously accumulated sediments may be dissolved and removed from the entire transformer.

The following table shows the limiting values of transformer oil that indicate when it is necessary to regenerate the transformer’s dielectric oil.

Performance Characteristic

Value

Acid number

>0.08 mgKOH/g of oil

Dielectric losses at 90⁰C (40 and 60 Hz)

>0.2 for power transformers and reactors with voltage more than 170 kW.

>0.50 for power transformers and reactors with voltage less than 170 kW.

Inhibitor content

Inhibitor additve concentration <.4%

Acidity and  surface tension correlation

Acidity > 0.6 mgKOH/g of oil and surface tension <30 mN/m

Sediments

perceptible sediments

Additionally, IEC Standard 60422 recommends to regenerate oil if the performance characteristics of the oil are reduced.

Benefits of Preventive Maintenance

The degradation effects suffered by the solid insultaion found in the modern oil filled electric power transformer are irreversible.  Solid insulation degradation cannot be repaired through any modern regeneration technologies on the world market today.  Regeneration therefore, should be considered as a preventive mantenance procedure as opposed to a corrective maintenance procedure.  The GlobeCore “Service Life Extension Program” uses advanced modern technolgy to remove moisture and contaminants that degrade the transformer’s solid insulation.  It provides for the service life extension of the transformer by removing the progressive aging contaminant from the solid insulation.

CMM-P

GlobeCore CMM-R oil processing units

The table below shows the results of the physicochemical analysis of transformer oil that has been regenerated using the GlobeCore CMM-R oil processing units.

The Results of Physicochemical Analysis of Transformer Oil  

№

Characteristic

Before regeneration

After regeneration

IEC 60296 standard

1

 Physical form

Cloudy, dark brown

Pure, clear

Pure, without sediments

2

Acid number,  mg KOH/g oil

0.63

0.01

0.01

3

 Corrosive sulphur

+

none

none

4

 Moisture content, ррm, no more than

170

5

30-40

5

 Breakdown voltage, kW

11

73

30-70

6

 Dielectric dissipation factor at 90ºС, %

4.0

0.001

0.005
7 Gas content, %

12

0.1

–

8

 Surface tension at 25ºС, mN/m

22

45

40

9

 Mechanical impurities in microns

50

0.2

–

10

 Oxidation resistance test:– acid number mg of KOH/g oil

–

0.2

1.2

After regeneration, oil that has been used for many years is restored to its original new like condition and its dielectric properties are kept stable during many years of future service.

GlobeCore regeneration units substantially extend the service life of electric power transformers.

What Does “Oil Filtration” Mean?

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At first glance, the question “What is oil filtration” seems to be easy to answer.  There are however, no hard and fast answers to this question  because of the great amount of variety of oil found on the world oil market.  If for a moment you were to put aside the broad variety of oils on the market, we can answer the question in the following way:

Oil filtration is a method of removing contaminants either in a suspended state either to protect the equipment, or to extend the service life of the oil.  

Let’s discuss it in more detail.

What does filtration mean?

There are two types of oil filtration:

  • Primary purification; and
  • Secondary purification;

Primary purification is used to protect equipment.  The filtering devices are mounted by the equipment producers. From a technical point of view, this type of filtration is realized with a by-pass valve that lets the oil flow past and through the valve.  This device removes impurities of more than 25 microns.

This kind of filtration is called “coarse” filtration due to the size of contaminants being filtered.  The primarily task of this kind of filtration is to prevent equipment damage by coarse particles.  The filtering devices are mounted in the lubrication circuit of the equipment or in the delivery line that leads to the lubrication point.  Sometimes they are be mounted in the return pipeline that goes from the lubrication point depending on the equipment manufacturer’s design and engineering concept.

Filters are usually made of porous materials.  The internal bypass valve opens when filters become saturated with contaminants and/or when pressure exceeds preset limits.   Non-filtered oil then flows out of the filter and is circulated into the equipment.

A secondary filtration is applied in order to extend the service life of oil through by purifying and restoring the oil’s performance characteristcs.  Often, a secondary filtration method is called “oil purification.”  The main benefit of this kind of filtration is that it extends the service life of the oil as well as the equipment.  Sometimes, producers provide equipment with a built-in secondary filtration system, but often secondary filtration is considered to be an optional pice of equipment.

The following are the most widespread methods of secondary filtration:

  • Centrifuge filtration;
  • Magnetic and vacuum cleanings;
  • Dehydration; and
  • Application of filtering materials.

Secondary filtration is able to clean oil to the lowest ISO purity class standard.  Even if seconday filtration systems are in place, it is not recommended to change or remove the the primary filtration system mounted by the equipment manufacturer.

GlobeCore has a wide spectrum of filtering systems designed and intended for the purification of lubricating oils and fluids.  These systems provide for the service life extension of oil as well as the oil-filled equipment.

Taking into consideration the high prices for oil filled equipment and the cost of oil changes as well as possible downtimes, it is reasonable to mount GlobeCore’s secondary filtration units on your existing equipment.

Transformer Oil Reclamation by Fuller’s Earth

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GlоbeCоre has offered a fundamentally new solution to the problem of dielectric transformer oil regeneration.  Much importance is placed on transformer oil since it serves as a liquid insulator and serves to transfer execess heat away from the vital parts of electric power transformers used in the electric transmission industry.  Such factors as atmospheric oxygen, moisture, and high temperatures can have a negative impact on the condition of dielectric oil which inevitably leads to transformer failures. To eliminate the risk of transformer failures, transformer oil should be thoroughly purified and regenerated periodicaly throughout the life cycle of the oil and the transformer.

GlobeCore has developed technology that allows for the regeneration of used transformer oil.  GlоbeCоre adheres to the “preventive maintenance” principle:  it is better to prevent a problem than to have to correct a problem.  The main concern of our company is to extend the effective service life of the transformer.

The mobile oil purification station, designated as CMM-R line of equipment, distinguishes itself through the following features:

(1) Fuller’s Earth serves as a sorbent that has good adsorbent properties and GlobeCore’s automatic sorbent reactivation system eliminates hazardous waste generation and reduces labor costs;

(2) oil is circulated through a closed path: contaminated oil is supplied to the regeneration unit and the regenerated oil is delivered back to the transformer.  There is still 10-15% of used oil left in the transformer when simply changing the used oil for new oil.  Contaminated oil will the get to the fresh oil thereby reducing its performance characteristics.  Due to the GlоbeCоre technology, oil is circulated through a closed path which enables the used oil residues to be washed away making the process much more efficient and less costly than changing the oil.

(3) there is an inhibition block in the CMM-R oil treatment units that increases the oil’s stability to oxidation.  It injects DBPC 2.6, an antioxidant additive.

The GlоbeCоre equipment that is designed for transformer oil reclaiming by Fuller’s Earth allows the user to:

  • reduce manual labor costs since all the processes are automated and only one operator will be required to operate the CMM-R oil regeneration unit.
  • regenerates oil on energized transformers;
  • prevents oil from contact with atmospheric air since it may spoil its insulation properties;
  • performs it tasks regardless of the weather or season;
  • reduces harmful discharges into the air since oil and sorbent are not subject to disposal; and
  • reduces financial expenditures for new oil purchase.

Taking everything into consideration, we may state that the service life of transformers will be extended when using the GlobeCore Process of oil regeneration.

GlоbeCоre knows how to save your company money and will be glad to reveal this secret to the representatives of your staff and company.

Reclamation of Turbine Oil

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This article will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of turbine oil regeneration/reclamation.  According to the statistics, the electrical needs of North America have been significantly increased over the past several years.  As a result, the companies who were in the business of serving the energy needs of Americans had to buy a great amount of new turbines or to recondition existing ones already in service. All theses changes in the power industry has aroused heated discussions regarding the condition of turbine oils.  Many energy providers turned out to lack knowledge about the very lubricating oils that cool and lubricate some of their most important pices of equipment. It is therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide power suppliers with a better understanding of turbine oil regeneration/reclamation.  First however, it is important to consider the specfic terms of the article.

Regeneration and Reclamation, terms that are synonymous, consists in removing water and other impurities from the oil product and restoring it to  “like new” condition and making it suitable for continued use.

Another term often used along with “regeneration/reclamation” is refortification and consists in adding a specified amount of additive to pure and dry oil products to renew the additives that have been exhausted through use and regeneration.

There are generall two kinds of oil recycling in the electrica generation and turbine industry: one is when used lubricant is transferrred and applied in other industries that require oil product with lower performance characteristics and the other is when used lubricating oils need are treated to restire the oil product to make it available for further application and use.

Production of Turbine Oil

In general, there is no difficulty with turbine oil preparation.  It is essential however, to keep a proper proportion between base oils and additives since soluble contaminants can deteriorate a product’s performance characteristics or even destroy oil composition.

Many energy providers consider that turbine oil will successfully perform its functions until its service life comes to an end, but that is not always the case. Very often, companies use turbine oil that barely meets the equipment requirements in order to reduce their operational costs. Additionally, such oil then is exposed to thermal and oxidative treatments that rapidly degrade its performance characteristics. Due to harsh and demanding operating conditions, oil will lose it ability over time to perform its intended function and should be changed or reclaimed every three years or when indicated by an oil analysis test.  In order to regenerate/reclaim the oil, the proper equipment will need to be employed.

GlobeCore is an industry leader in producing high-quality equipment for oil regeneration/reclamation in the CMM-10 line if units.  The GlobeCore CMM-10 line is designed to purify and regenerate many types of fluids and oils such as as transformer oil, turbine oil, industrial oil, and dark diesel fuel.  Turbine oil reclamation using GlobeCore equipment will reduce your expenditures on new turbine oil and greatly reduce your need to perform corrective maintenance. Additionally, after reclamation, the oil is much more stable and less susecptible to oxidation (does not darken or accumulate odors).

It is not an overstatement to say that reclamation is an easy-to-perform procedure. Such methods as settling, dehydration or coalescence are used to remove water from oil products when different types of filtration are used to reduce the amount of contaminants.  The reclamation process is considered to be highly effective in removing impurities though it is advisable to re-introduce antioxident inhibitors such as DBPC-2.6 back into the oil upon completion of the regeneration process.

Refortification is a more complicated process: one should know the components of oil to perform this process properly.  As it was stated above, the composition of oil should be properly balanced to ensure good performance of the product. Improper amounts of additives may destroy the composition of turbine oils and adversely affect its performance characteristics.

Another issue that should be taken into consideration during the process of refortification is connected with base oils. The failure to add the wrong additives to the old turbine oil may lead to the additives being undissolved.  Such mismanagement can cause and/or lead to problems.

It is of vital importance to wash the units after refortification and reclamation processes are performed.  Since the majority of oil purification units are mobile, the risk of contamination is significantly high. To prevent contamination, equipment owners or operators have to be well informed about possible ways of contamination and related problems.

The kind of additive placed into turbine oil depends on the future application of the product.  The additives in turbine oil act as an inhibitor of the sludging process and to impede and slow the oxidation process.

It should be noted that performance characteristics of fresh turbine oil can be degraded by a wide range of factors.  It is therefore, desirable to conduct regular oil testing/analysis to monitor the oil’s condition.  If the oil analysis shows that water content level and the amountof foreign particles are over the acceptable limits, immediate measures are required to correct the problem.  High levels of contaminants found in turbine oil can harm equipment and can lead to serious damage therefore, water and impurities should be removed in the course of reclamation.  It is also recommended to take steps to define and remove the reasons for the contamination. If the results of oil testing show other defects, then refortification will be required required.

As it was mentioned above, the process of refortification is complicated and the person who does refortification should know the composition of the oil before starting such an important job.  It may be too risky to expose another provider’s product to refortification since it may include additives that are not consistent with the additives that are going to be added to refortify the turbine oil in use. It is therefore, desirable to test such oil at the laboratory to define the kind of additives that are in the oil in need of processing.

It is essential to choose the proper additive and the proper concentration to add to the turbine oil composition since the additive(s) may be thicker than the turbine oil itself.  It is recommended to choose equipment with an inline additive injection system that allows you to treat to the turbine oil with a slow and appropriate amount of additives.

GlobeCore has developed such units in the USB line that ensure proper additive injection and allows for obtaining the correct homogeneous fuels.  These units are equipped with electronic control systems and ensure precise metering of components.  During the blending process in the stream mixer, the consumption of each component is carefully controlled.  The product, obtained from the stream mixer, is homogenous and its component composition precisely meets the prescribed recipe.

The right choice of equipment for these processes can contribute greatly to the service life extension of the turbine oil, turbine equipment and reduce your operating costs.

GlobeCore is able to offer effective and “green” solutions to the problem of used oil reclamation.

Start-Up of Equipment in Poland

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In September 2014, GlobeCore employees started up a new CMM-10A oil purification unit in Poland.  The CMM-10A is used to vacuum transformers and purify dielectric insulating oil.  

The CMM-10A unit is designed and intended for heating oil used in electric power transformers, degassing of transformer oil, and transformer vacuumizing.

The main users of this kind of equipment are facilities that are engaged in mounting, repairing and servicing oil-filled, high-voltage electrical equipment.