Transformer Oil Purification Systems

Fuller’s Earth oil filters are used for removal of acids and soluble surface acting contaminants by adsorption.

Treatment with Fuller’s earth will increase the IFT (Interfacial Tension) of oil and reduce the PF (Power Factor) to desired levels. When water and some volatile acids are removed from oil through a prior vacuum process, adsorptive capacity of Fuller’s Earth for removal of remaining soluble contamination is greatly extended. Positive protection assures migration free, sparling clean effluent. All acids, gums, resins and other surface acting soluble contaminants are trapped and held within the media.

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SPECIAL STATIONARY: 1000 , 2000 & 3000 lb. towers, single or dual, available upon request

The MPU series is designed for the decontamination of electrical insulating oils that have been contaminated with low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs – also known as “Askarels”). PCBs were first synthesised in 1881 and have excellent properties for use in transformers; they are very stable, fire-resistant, insulating and have a low volatility. Unfortunately, because they are stable organic compounds that can remain indefinitely in the environment, they accumulate in the fatty tissue of most living organisms. The pollutants are so toxic that even one gram can contaminate up to one billion litres of water. Approximately 635,000,000 kg of Askarels were produced in North America before production was banned in 1977.

Oils containing up to 5,000 parts per million (PPM) of PCBs can be processed in the ENERVAC MPU, lowering the PCB level to below the detectable limit.

The chemical process employed in the MPU reverses the process by which PCBs were originally developed. A small amount of sodium dispersion is added to dehydrated and degassed insulating oil in a reaction vessel. The sodium reacts with the chlorine in the PCB and converts it to harmless compounds, common salt and a few hydrocarbon residues. These reaction byproducts are removed from the now PCB-free oil either by an optional centrifuge or in a settling tank. The sludge is non-PCB and can be disposed of in any industrial waste disposal facility.

The decontaminated oil can be reused once it has been through a further upgrade with an ENERVAC Fullers Earth system (E575A) and Vacuum Oil Purifier (E865A) or a Transformer Oil Regeneration system (E575R). This upgraded oil meets the ASTM and IEC standards of new oils.

The technology used in the MPU was developed by BC Hydro and Ontario Hydro in the early 1980’s, both of these utilities have been using the ENERVAC MPU for over 30 years and have reclaimed tens of millions of litres of contaminated oil.

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The most important applications of high vacuum degasifiers are in the field of extra high voltage transmission and in the manufacture of electrical apparatus for it. In addition, the high vacuum process is used in the degasification of cable oils including polybutenes. Outside of the electrical industry, this process is used for dehydration and degasification of oils for radar and electronic equipment, vacuum pump sealing oils, brake fluids, refrigeration oils—including phosphate esters and silicones.

Enervac offers the EHV Vacuum Oil-Purifier series designed for maximum efficiency in your operations…performance tested by experts, requiring minimum maintenance, and providing long, trouble-free service.

Backed by the full resources of Enervac’s technical specialists, plus “knowhow” and thorough research, your Vacuum Oil-Purifier is unique. Designed for unattended operation and suitable for operation on energized equipment—complete monitoring equipment is also available.