FAQ

A: There is no technical reason why reclaimed insulating oil may not be utilised in new transformers as their initial filling. EOS will be pleased to supply your reclaimed insulating oil, held by us, to any transformer manufacturer within the British Isles. Beyond this, it is a matter for agreement between the purchaser of the transformer and its manufacturer. Not all transformer factories have the means to segregate reclaimed and unused oil, so this may be an impediment. EOS can advise on how best to pursue this option.

A: EOS does usually have stocks of reclaimed oil produced from oil inherited from oil changes where an alternative product has been used for refilling or plant has been scrapped, thus we are able to supply reclaimed insulating oil to customers without their own raw material. A small additional charge is made for the supply of this.

A: There are three reasons for favouring glass for sampling thieves.

A: The purpose of sampling is to produce an accurate representation of the body of the oil, ensuring any contaminants present are found, while excluding those from external sources. It should be remembered that all contact with air, sampling equipment etc. could have an influence on the sample. Ideally, all external influences, such as airborne contamination, rain, dust etc. should be totally excluded. In some cases, where sampling under poor conditions is necessary, this may mean the erection of a small tent or makeshift cover. A 500ml sample will be sufficient to carry out all routine, PCB and DGA tests.

A: Although it is normal practice to remove oil from switchgear for maintenance and replace with oil of a known and certified quality standard, samples, either “as found” or “as left” are often taken for diagnostic or statistical purposes.

A: The purpose of sampling is to produce an accurate representation of the body of the oil, ensuring any contaminants present are found, while excluding those from external sources. It should be remembered that all contact with air, sampling equipment etc. could have an influence on the sample. Ideally, all external influences, such as airborne contamination, rain, dust etc. should be totally excluded. In some cases, where sampling under poor conditions is necessary, this may mean the erection of a small tent or makeshift cover. A 500ml sample will be sufficient to carry out all routine, PCB and DGA tests.

A: Probably not, if low breakdown voltage is the only unsatisfactory parameter. Low breakdown voltage is caused by contamination of the oil by debris or free water. At very high levels, dissolved water may also have an impact. This is especially so when combined with other contaminants such as fibres. Both water and solid contaminants may be removed by onsite, in-situ processing via a high vacuum mobile oil treatment plant. EOS operates the UK’s largest fleet of mobile electrical oils processing units (MPUs) and can advise you on the best method of treatment to use in your particular circumstances.

A:

1. If the oil is aged (oxidised),even if not to the point at which it would normally be replaced, it makes economic sense to seize the opportunity to replace the oil and effect a reduction of water content at the same time. The practicalities and potential outage costs will tend to favour doing the two operations simultaneously.

2. If there is other work to be carried out on the equipment, for which the oil must be removed, there may be a case for sending the oil for reclamation and replacing with reclaimed oil instead of committing it to temporary storage. This work may include investigation and rectification of the means by which the water entered the transformer (see note below).

3. If the transformer is a relatively small or low voltage unit the alternatives may not be deemed appropriate. The important consideration here is, how much oil, and hence water, will remain in the cellulose insulation when the oil is drained from the transformer? The lower the voltage at which a transformer operates,the lower will be the ratio of mass of cellulose insulation to mass of oil. This will be of the order of 200:1 for a 240MVA, 400/132kV transmission unit, compared to about 7:1 for a 1MVA, 11/0.433kV distribution transformer. This means that a relatively small proportion of the distribution transformer’s total water content will remain when the oil is drained, and an oil change may be regarded as a cost effective solution.

In general, a ‘wet’ transformer can be dried to a very acceptable degree, on site. The equipment and techniques for achieving this are well developed and if applied appropriately will give good results. EOS operates the UK’s largest fleet of mobile electrical oils processing units (MPUs)and can advise you on the best method of treatment to use in your particular circumstances. Some common reasons for disappointing results are the failure to rectify the cause of the moisture ingress and the premature cessation of processing when only the oil has been dried, but not the cellulose insulation.

A: In most cases the answer is probably “no”, as there are other, more effective, ways of treating high water content, which are discussed below. It is important to remember that, although we generally measure the water content of the oil, this is merely a matter of practical convenience, as what we are most interested in is the water content of the transformer, and, more specifically, that of the cellulose insulation. The sample of oil, the water content of which is measured, is, in effect, a message-in-a-bottle from inside the transformer.

A: British Standard BS 148:1998 includes the following statement: “The limits for water content, breakdown voltage, and dielectric dissipation factor for oil packed in drums shall apply only to oils delivered within Great Britain in drums of 200 litres nominal capacity and to tests carried out within two weeks of leaving the manufacturer” And it adds the note: “There is a tendency for water absorption to occur and for the electrical characteristics to deteriorate in oil stored in drums.

It is important to understand that there is not a ‘shelf-life’ as such, as deterioration in storage is far more dependent on the method of storage than the duration of storage. The simplest advice is always to store in as close as possible to ideal conditions, and to keep periods of storage as short as possible. Kept under ‘ideal’ conditions drummed insulating oil may be expected to maintain its specified properties for an almost indefinite period, given a 100% secure drum.

We would not, however, recommend, even under ideal conditions, storing drummed oil for any more than 6 months,and would suggest a limit of 3 months be aimed for. No matter how long or short the period of storage prior to use, and whatever the storage conditions, all insulating oil should be tested for compliance with, in particular, safety-critical properties relevant to the type of equipment in which it is to be used.

A: While uninhibited electrical oils are “straight” mineral oils, containing no additives but achieving their desired characteristics by careful selection of crude and refining technique, inhibited oils contain small amounts of an additive called an antioxidant to inhibit oxidation thus increasing chemical stability.

A: The differences are of three main types, Technical, Environmental and Economic.

A: For advice on the monitoring and maintenance of oil in service we recommend that you refer to the current edition of IEC 60422 Supervision and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment, or BS 5730 Monitoring and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment.

A: While, to a certain extent, the individual characteristics of an insulating oil may be obtainable from other oils, it is the combination of characteristics from the one oil that is so special. Other low viscosity oils, for example, may, if clean and dry, give a high breakdown voltage and possibly high resistivity and low DDF, but this is unlikely to be achieved in combination with low pour point, high flash point and excellent oxidation resistance.

Of particular importance is that traditional insulating oils achieve this combination of characteristics without the use of additives. This has the benefit of making them readily reclaimable.

A: High Flash Point: To minimise risk of the formation of a flammable mixture of oil vapour and air at high operating temperatures.

Low Pour Point: To reduce risk of inefficient cooling or of slow O.C.B. tripping due to high oil viscosity.

Low Viscosity: To ensure good impregnation of cellulose insulation and free flowing circulation and heat transfer.

Low Density: To avoid ice crystals floating in oil as dissolved water precipitates and freezes.

Note: The above physical properties will be unlikely to alter significantly in service. Except by contamination by other materials such as diesel, paraffin, lubricating oil or other liquid insulants.

Good Chemical Stability: To resist oxidation in “hostile” environment i.e. high temperature, oxygen, copper, iron, water and other oxidation products.

Note: Oxidation is the natural process of aging of a transformer oil. It will not only produce sludge, which may reduce the cooling efficiency of the transformer but can lead to tank corrosion by volatile acids. Even low levels of oxidation of the transformer’s oil will reduce the life of its cellulose insulation. The only treatment is oil-change and reclamation of old oil or in-situ regeneration.

Low Dissolved Water Content: To preserve electrical properties, especially where other contaminants may be present, and to avoid the precipitation of free water at extremely low temperatures.

Note: It is important to understand the dynamic relationship between oil and cellulose water content and temperature. The electrical, chemical and physical integrity of cellulose will be adversely affected by high water content. Prolonged or repeated on-site processing via a high vacuum processing plant will dry the oil and hence the paper.

Good Appearance: A “safety net” to exclude any visible contaminants e.g. dirt, dust, sediment or water, that may either be missed by the objective tests, or which would degrade any test equipment into which they were deposited.

Note: Visible contaminants can usually be removed by filtering.

High Breakdown Voltage: To ensure the oil’s ability to withstand a sustained high A.C. voltage without breakdown.

Note: Filtering/Dehydrating/Degassing (i.e. treatment via a high vacuum processing plant) will remove the contaminants, which cause a reduction in breakdown voltage.

Low Dielectric Dissipation Factor (DDF): To minimise dielectric loss or leakage current. Sometimes referred to as “power factor”.

Note: If due (as is often the case) to soluble contaminants, other than water, high dielectric dissipation factor (or low resistivity) can only be treated by reclamation/regeneration of the oil.

Low Gassing Tendency (i.e. Gas Absorbing): To minimise gas evolution under electric stress.

A: For advice on the monitoring and maintenance of oil in service we recommend that you refer to the current edition of IEC 60422 Supervision and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment, or BS 5730 Monitoring and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment.

A: The terms are often interchangeable but in the UK we generally refer to static, off-site chemical and physical treatment of used insulating oil as “reclamation” – e.g. what we do at the EOS Ellesmere Port operational base, and on site in-situ chemical and physical treatment as “regeneration”.

A: The terms are often interchangeable but in the UK we generally refer to static, off-site chemical and physical treatment of used insulating oil as “reclamation” – e.g. what we do at the EOS Ellesmere Port operational base, and on site in-situ chemical and physical treatment as “regeneration”.

A: An oil change is the traditional remedy to combat rising acidity in a transformer but oil regeneration is a much more effective option (technically and financially) – when you change the oil in a transformer up to 10% of the old, oxidised oil, will remain in the paper insulation. Even with double draining, waiting time and flushing there will likely be as much as 5% remaining. In a large generator transformer in a power station this could be as much as 5,000 litres of old, acidic oil. Once the replacement unused or reclaimed oil is put into the transformer this residual acidic oil begins to “leach” out of the transformer’s paper insulation. This “leachate” acts as a catalyst for further oxidation of the oil.

In-situ regeneration on the other hand has the capacity to reach the parts of the transformer insulation system that a standard oil change just can’t manage. Due to the time on site, constant circulation and heat input the transformer insulation system is “deep cleaned” removing far more products of oxidation (acids and sludge) than a traditional oil change ever will. In addition to being a more effective treatment option, in-situ regeneration reduces the number of vehicles on site (no tankers) and means the transformer’s oil can remain in the transformer the whole time helping to give physical support to the paper insulation that may have a reduced tensile strength due to ageing.

A: The reclamation process, as carried out at EOS Ellesmere Port, produces a PRODUCT that conforms to a recognised standard, currently BS148:2009. The the on-site regeneration process however is a SERVICE where the end results will be broadly in line with a recognised standard but end results depend on variables often outside the control of the regeneration service provider.

A: No, not normally. It depends on the volume of oil in the transformer but once you add in the cost of tankers and additional manpower you would normally expect the regeneration option to be 20-40% cheaper than an oil change.

A: EOS recommends adding an oxidation inhibitor to the oil at the end of the regeneration process in order to restore the oil’s oxidation stability – the oxidation stability or chemical stability is the key property that differentiates insulating oil from say, vegetable oil. When brand new insulating oil goes into service for the very first time it has to be able to withstand all the stresses and strains that operational life will throw at it. For instance heat from the operation of the transformer or possibly poor cooling and oxygen from the atmosphere in a free breathing transformer. Both of these are catalysts for oxidation – in the same way as metal goes rusty and butter goes rancid so too will mineral insulating oil turn “acidic” in time. It is the oils ability to withstand this oxidation process that marks it out as a good electrical insulating oil.

A: We recommend fully inhibiting the oil, so that you end up with 0.4% inhibitor content.

A: Yes, EOS recommends that after 6 months a base line test is carried out then the oil should be tested annually. This could be extended to longer periods depending on your trended results.

A: EOS recommends adding further inhibitor if the measured content falls to 0.1%, contact us for more information.

A: In general, all mineral insulating oil, originally complying with BS148 and produced from naphthenic feedstock, will be reclaimable. We do, however, have strict QA procedures, which are designed to identify any oil unsuitable due to exceptionally severe aging or cross-contamination with other materials.

A: The EOS electrical oil reclamation service is a ‘laundering’ service. The customer supplies EOS with his used oil and EOS reclaim it to BS148-standard. The customer is then able to call off, for return, the same volume of reclaimed insulating oil as used oil supplied, less loss in treatment.

A: We would normally suggest any volume greater than 1 tanker load, so 25,000 litres is good to store off site, especially where site space is limited to store tankers and / or the oil has to be out of the transformer for more than a few days. EOS may need the tanker for other work.

A: We have approx. 250,000 litres of what we call “Stanlow Works Storage” and the tanks are all located at our Ellesmere Port, Chesterchire, UK, operating base.

A: There are three reasons for favouring glass for sampling thieves.

A: The purpose of sampling is to produce an accurate representation of the body of the oil, ensuring any contaminants present are found, while excluding those from external sources. It should be remembered that all contact with air, sampling equipment etc. could have an influence on the sample. Ideally, all external influences, such as airborne contamination, rain, dust etc. should be totally excluded. In some cases, where sampling under poor conditions is necessary, this may mean the erection of a small tent or makeshift cover. A 500ml sample will be sufficient to carry out all routine, PCB and DGA tests.

Allow the oil in the drum to acclimatise by achieving equilibrium with the ambient temperature. Clean the area around the bung. Remove the tab-seal and the bung using a drum key. Inspect the bung seal for signs of damage or contamination. Remove your glass sampling thief from its protective case and inspect and wipe the outside of it. Insert the thief into the oil about half way, place a finger or thumb over the top end and withdraw. The thief is now half full of oil. This is used to rinse the inside of the thief by rocking it in a “see-saw” motion while rolling it to ensure total rinsing of the internal surface. This should be done over a large drip-tray. Repeat and examine. Using the same technique as above, withdraw half a thief of oil and place it in the sample bottle. Rest the thief in the oil drum where it will be safe and clean. The sample bottle is then capped and rinsed by vigorously shaking it. Continue shaking while discarding oil to prevent any contaminants adhering to the side of the bottle. Repeat and examine.

To take a sample from the bottom of the drum, which is where any contaminants, if present, are most likely to be found, insert the thief into the drum ensuring that the finger or thumb covering the top hole is not removed until the thief reaches the bottom of the drum. Then uncover the hole allowing oil from the bottom of the drum to enter the thief. While this is happening, the thief should be moved across the bottom of the drum and around the bottom seam. When the oil level in the thief is the same as that in the drum, uncap the sample bottle and cover the top hole of the thief and withdraw it from the drum lifting it vertically. Hold the bottle over a bucket or drip tray, and, without placing the end of the thief in the top of the bottle, uncover the top hole and aim the oil into the sample bottle such that it flows down it’s side. Repeat until the bottle is full and overflowing. The overflowing will help to release any air bubbles from the bottle. Pour the surplus oil from the bottle over the cap to rinse. Leave a 0.5-1cm air gap and finger tighten the cap. Be careful not to over-tighten. Replace bung to drum. Gently invert the sample bottle and inspect for visible solid contamination and/or free water. If contamination is found, the sample should be discarded and the above procedure repeated to ensure that the first was representative. Complete the sample data sheet or label in full.

A: Although it is normal practice to remove oil from switchgear for maintenance and replace with oil of a known and certified quality standard, samples, either “as found” or “as left” are often taken for diagnostic or statistical purposes.

The purpose of sampling is to produce an accurate representation of the body of the oil, ensuring any contaminants present are found, while excluding those from external sources. It should be remembered that all contact with air, sampling equipment etc. could have an influence on the sample. Ideally, all external influences, such as airborne contamination, rain, dust etc. should be totally excluded. In some cases, where sampling under poor conditions is necessary, this may mean the erection of a small tent or makeshift cover. A 500ml sample will be sufficient to carry out all routine, PCB and DGA tests.

Clean the switch lid, paying particular attention to the external rim of the gasket seat, a favourite home of insects. Remove the switch lid and carry out a visual inspection. Using a torch if necessary, check as much of the base of the tank as possible, especially in corners and directly beneath any access covers, sight glasses or operating mechanism bushes. Record the nature and location of any contamination found. Remove your glass sampling thief from its protective case and inspect and wipe the outside of it. Insert the thief into the oil short of the tank bottom, place a finger or thumb over the top end and withdraw. The thief is now about half full of oil.

This is used to rinse the inside of the thief by rocking it in a “see-saw” motion while rolling it to ensure total rinsing of the internal surface. This should be done over a large drip-tray. Repeat and examine. Using the same technique as above, withdraw half a thief of oil and place it in the sample bottle. Rest the thief in the switch tank where it will be safe and clean. The sample bottle is then capped and rinsed by vigorously shaking it. Continue shaking while discarding oil to prevent any contaminants adhering to the side of the bottle. Repeat and examine.

To take a sample from the bottom of the switch, which is where any contaminants, if present, are most likely to be found, insert the thief into the switch ensuring that the finger or thumb covering the top hole is not removed until the thief reaches the bottom of the tank. Uncover the hole allowing oil from the bottom to enter the thief.

While this is happening, the thief should carefully be moved across the bottom of the tank as much as possible. When the oil level in the thief is the same as that in the switch, uncap the sample bottle and cover the top hole of the thief and withdraw it from the switch lifting it vertically. Hold the bottle over a bucket or drip tray, and, without placing the end of the thief in the top of the bottle, uncover the top hole and aim the oil into the sample bottle such that it flows down it’s side. Repeat, taking successive dips from different parts of the switch, until the bottle is full and overflowing. The overflowing will help to release any air bubbles from the bottle.

Pour the surplus oil from the bottle over the cap to rinse. Leave a 0.5-1cm air gap and finger tighten the cap. Be careful not to over-tighten. Gently invert the sample bottle and inspect for visible solid contamination and/or free water. If contamination is found, the sample should be discarded and the above procedure repeated to ensure that the first was representative. Complete the sample data sheet or label in full.

A: The purpose of sampling is to produce an accurate representation of the body of the oil, ensuring any contaminants present are found, while excluding those from external sources. It should be remembered that all contact with air, sampling equipment etc. could have an influence on the sample. Ideally, all external influences, such as airborne contamination, rain, dust etc. should be totally excluded. In some cases, where sampling under poor conditions is necessary, this may mean the erection of a small tent or makeshift cover. A 500ml sample will be sufficient to carry out all routine, PCB and DGA tests.

If there is not a dedicated sample point provided, fit a sampling adapter to a drain valve or filter valve. Ensure that the exterior of the valve and adapter is clean before fitting. Open the valve and establish a controllable & directional flow into a bucket. Use a plastic hose kept especially for the purpose. Clean the interior of the valve, sample adapter and hose by flushing with oil, allow 2-3 litres to flow to ‘waste’ – do not adjust the flow rate from now on. Record the oil temperature as the flushing oil runs into the bucket. Do not put the thermometer into the sample bottle. Rinse the sample bottle 2 or 3 times by half filling it and vigorously shaking it.

Continue shaking while discarding oil to prevent any contaminants adhering to the side of the bottle. Repeat and inspect for cleanliness. Fill the bottle gently by directing the flow down the side to reduce aeration until the bottle is full and overflowing.

The overflowing will help to release any air bubbles from the bottle. Run some oil over the cap to rinse it. Leave a 0.5-1cm air gap and finger tighten the cap. Be careful not to over-tighten. Close the sample valve. Gently invert the sample bottle and inspect for visible solid contamination and/or free water. If contamination is found, the sample should be discarded and the above procedure repeated to ensure that the first was representative. Complete the sample data sheet or label in full.

A: In many instances, the value of an item of oil-filled plant will not be related to its capital cost, but to the importance of the load it supplies. Hence even relatively small, low rating and low cost plant can justify the performance of sophisticated monitoring techniques such as dissolved gas analysis (DGA).

A: Most definitely not. In order to minimize the risk of contamination of used oil our quality assurance procedures require that drums for collection of used oil are of a suitable type (either supplied originally containing electrical oil or as empties specifically for the return of UTO) and that drums are in a sound condition. EOS can advise on suitable containers.