Tag Archives: Fuller’s Earth

Is Fuller’s earth needed?

For Class III oils that are service aged, Fuller’s earth treatment will be required.  Color number, Acid Neutralization Number and Interfacial Tension are good indicators of the condition of Class III oils.  Fuller’s earth processing systems are available in a variety of configurations sized to the flow rate of the vacuum oil purifier.  They can be incorporated into the purifier system itself or provided as a separate module to be connected and used only when needed.

Fuller’s earth

Fuller’s earth can be used to decolorize and neutralize any petroleum oil, especially dielectric insulating oils.  It also excels in neutralizing traces of strong inorganic acids.  Due to the relatively large pores found in Fuller’s earth, it is well adapted to the removal of high molecular weight sulfonates, resins and asphaltines.

Transformer oil will discolor as oxidation takes place.  Color, by itself, is not a reliable test in evaluating the condition of the oil for further use.  It is however, a strong indication that something is happening within the transformer that requires investigation.  Once transformer oil changes from the yellow color range into the orange and red color range, it has degraded to the point where the vital parts of the transformer are being seriously affected.

As the color of the oil changes, sludge is forming in solution with the oil due to oxidation.  This causes a drop in interfacial tension and an increase in the acid (neutralization) number.  When transformer oil deteriorates to the red color ranges, deposited sludge continues to oxidize and harden, blocking vents and insulating cooling fins, causing higher operating temperatures.  Solid Insulation shrinkage may take place, and premature failure is likely.

Care

GlobeCore provides the service of Fuller’s earth filling and replacing in your equipment.  Care must be taken not to expose the Fuller’s earth to humid air or moisture.  This causes the clay to loosen its granular structure and can turn it to plain mud.  It is recommended that the clay be purchased in vapor-insulated bags to keep it dry.  For best performance and flow rate, oil should be supplied to the filters at a temperature of between 160 to 180 degrees F and a supply pressure capability of up to 80lbs. psi.

Leakage oil reclamation

Cost effective green solutions for facility oil reclamation

Total Lubrication Management provides efficient, environmentally friendly methods of reclaiming valuable lubricants on-site that minimize waste oil.  You receive bottom-line benefits from our abilities to:

  • Reduce new lubricant and oil purchases;
  • Support sustainability through oil conservation;
  • Decrease disposal liability;
  • Diminish environmental exposure and liability; and
  • Guarantee your oil cleanliness specifications are met

Environmental benefits

Total Lubrication Management stays ahead of the environmental curve through continuous review of EPA and safety regulations.  We make you aware of the latest updates as they apply to your specific operation.  And, we carry extensive liability insurance.  Even when it’s not practical or possible to slow down critical systems that need repair until the next scheduled outage, Total Lubrication Management can offer you a short or long-term rental of purification equipment to help you continue operating and address contamination issues without shutting down your operations.

The reclamation process

Sometimes it’s impractical to repair or control oil leaks if continued production is reliant on the subject equipment.  The Total Lubrication Management method of collecting and segregating leakage oil enhances your ability to restore the lubricant for continued use.  On-site waste oil is collected in dedicated storage via segregated waste streams, then purified by our experienced Total Lubrication Management technicians.  We work with your facility personnel to:

  • Identify high-lubricant use areas for reclamation;
  • Establish proper segregation, handling practices and purification using a variety of methods:;
    • First and second stage filtration
    • Centrifugal separation
    • Vacuum dehydration
    • Polishing filtration
    • On-site analysis
  • Create lubrication cleanliness/condition guidelines to ensure suitability for continued use;
  • Complete and verify that guidelines are met to your oil cleanliness specifications; and
  • Document the performance benefits.

Fuel oil filtration services

Process Details

Step 1:

Determine OEM Specifications for Fuel Cleanliness

Step 2:

On-site assessment of current Fuel Distribution

  1. Fuel analysis for cleanliness, water and bacteria
  2. Core samples of main storage tanks

Step 3:

Develop Comprehensive Blueprint

  1. Recommended actions based on test results may include
  2. Purification of current fuel to remove solids and water;
  3. Treatment of bacteria; and

iii. Storage tank preventive maintenance to remove accumulated contamination

  1. Initial Fill from delivery vehicle to storage tank;
  2. Distribution from storage tank to Mobile Fuel Trucks; and
  3. Distribution from Mobile Fuel Trucks to point of use

Step 4: Perform analysis and document Fuel Cleanliness ** Option for permanent installation of field equipment

In order to meet new air emission regulations, OEM’s have redesigned injector systems that require cleaner fuel to operate.  Utilizing unfiltered fuel can lead to injector failures resulting in poor performance, unplanned downtime, exceeding emission standards and high repair costs.

To make sure your equipment operates at peak performance, the filtration experts at Globecore can provide a comprehensive analysis of your fuel distribution – from transport delivery to use.  We will investigate the current condition of the fuel in the storage tanks and recommend corrective action if required.  We will develop a comprehensive filtration blueprint for fuel distribution throughout your facility that continuously meets or exceeds OEM requirements. As a result, you can operate your equipment with confidence.  On-site Inspection Provided by Filtration Experts Knowledgeable Globecore staff work with plant personnel to: *Recommend the best filtration for your application and establish fuel cleanliness specifications based on OEM recommendations.  *Present and distribute completed documentation to site management Globecore’s technicians arrive on-site to:

*Perform corrective action to current fuel/storage tanks if required;

*Coordinate installation of filtration units at various points throughout the fuel distribution system;

*Gather key baseline data for documentation; and

*Provide Service Summary that details the steps completed and any additional recommendations in ensuring long-term performance.

Globecore Filters provide these benefits:

*Continuously meet emission standards in properly maintained diesel equipment;

*Reduction in OEM filter usage and related costs;

*Reduction in repair expenses due to reduced wear and longer component life;

*Increased availability of manpower due to improved maintenance repair cycles; and

*Optimized equipment reliability.

Environmental Health and Safety:

Globecore routinely reviews EPA and safety regulations, including the latest updates as they apply to your specific operations.  In addition, Globecore carries extensive liability insurance.

Transformer Oil Recondition with Fuller’s Earth Equipment

GlobeCore introduces transformer oil purification units in the CMM-R line to meet the needs of companies, involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power.
The CMM-R line mobile oil filtration units from GlobeCore provide for the service life extension of transformers,  circuit breakers, and other oil-filled equipment since they restore dielectric strength and chemical composition of insulating oils.

It is essential to ensure the stability and performance characteristics of transformer oil since oil is constantly deteriorating and is influenced by high temperatures, atmospheric oxygen, electrical fields, metals and solid insulation.  Over time, transformer oil turns from a dielectric insulator into a conductor at low voltages which is unacceptable for proper transformer performance.  Once the oil becomes contaminated, it can no longer fulfill its functions and, as a result, becomes unfit for further useas a dielectric insulting fluid.

It is therefore, recommended to use GlobeCore’s mobile oil purificaton stations instead of buying new oil and seeking for ways to dispose of the used oil.

In the oil filtration units, oil is passed through the special sorbent, called Fuller’s Earth that allows for “Molecular Filtration” due to its microporous structure.  Mechanical impurities and products of oil degradation are soaked up by the sorbent granules.  Once the sorbent becomes saturated, the CMM-R units automatically switche to “Sorbent Reactivation” mode where impurities are removed from the sorbent material and exhausted to the special collecting tank and carbon canister.

The CMM-R line has been proved to be very efficient in practice.  The loss tangent of the oil, processed with GlobeCore equipment, is significantly reduced and meets the rated value of the fresh product after the regeneration operations are completed.

GlobeCore equipment may be either purchased from stock, or custom-made. The in-stock mobile oil degassing stations can be bought directly from the warehouse.  GlobeCore’s final assembly facilities are located in Oldenburg, Germany.  Any customized unit will be made within 45 days.
Usually, the CMM-R units are started up and run for about a week before being shipped.  Our specialists will help you to start up the mobile oil purificaton station as well as train your staff.

Once you read this, it means that you might be:

(1) the owner or CEO of a power company.   You are tired of spending much money on recycling of waste oil and purchasing new transformer oil.  You are eager to get effective solutions that will reduce your operating costs and increase profits;

(2)  you are a manager of procurment department.  You have to please the directors by finding the best deals or establishing and keeping trust relationships with suppliers.  In this regard, GlobeCore has the best solution for you:  After many years of doing business, our company has established both corporate and personal relationships with our customers;

(3) you are an engineer that services oil-filled equipment.  After having performed an oil analysis, you have determined that the performance characteristics of the transformer are below the acceptable standards, but you still want to ensure the continued smooth operation of your equipment.  Then you need to purchase one or more of the GlobeCore CMM-R mobile oil stations.  We provide maintenance services, have a warehouse of spare parts and we are always ready to help you.

Let’s check whether you need a GlobeCore mobile oil purificaton station:

  • You want to solve the problem of used oil disposal;
  • You want to save costs on purchasing new transformer oil; and
  • You want the quality of reclaimed transformer oil to comply with  recognized rules and regulations and to serve equipment for much longer than one year.

If you agree with the statements listed above then you are on the right path to the GlobeCore Servoce Life Extention Program utilizing the GlobeCore Process!

The GlobeCore CMM-R mobile oil recondition unit will help you to solve your long term preventive maintenance problems.  The following is the list of the benefits of the GlobeCore mobile oil units:

(1) They come in different design versions: general industry frame (European standards), containerized, mounted on a trailer (two or three-axle trailer), with several different optional arrangements of doors;

(2) may be equipped with an operator’s workstation to meet the customer’s needs;

(3) can be fitted with  (I) additional devices to monitor the oil level in the transformer, (II) generator to provide autonomous operation, (III) inhibition block to add special additives to transformer oil after regeneration.

(4) short delivery terms;

(5) competitive price;

(6) possibility to be trained  by a skilled engineer before purchasing the equipment and during its maintenance.

(7) constituent parts by leading world manufacturers;

(8) the characteristics of reclaimed oil fully comply with the recognized international standards and regulations;

(9) no used oil storage;

(10) cost saving;

(11) low energy consumption;

(12) automated technological processes; and

(13) optional sound and heat insulation;

Reading all this information, you may have the following questions:

(1) For how many years is it possible to extend the service life of transformers by applying the GlobeCore Process to my oil filled electrical  equipment?

The CMM-R units allow equipment owners to extend the service life of a typical transformer between 20 to 35 years.

(2) Do I need to pump out oil from the transformer before regeneration?

No, it is not necessary.  One of the primary benefits of the CMM-R units is that oil processing may be performed on the energized transformer.

(3) Why do I need to use your equipment if I can use the old transformer oil in other units that need lower performance characteristics of dielectric fluid?

Sure, you can, but it won’t solve the problem of its disposal.

(4) Is it possible to use another sorbent instead of Fuller’s Earth?

Yes, it is. The GlobeCore’s CMM-R units successfully operate using other sorbents.  But, Fuller’s earth can be reactivated during transformer oil processing so there is no need to unload and reload sorbent during the processing job.

(5) How long will the Fuller’s Earth last? 

About 300 cycles which is equal to between 1.5 to 3 years of operation depending on the amount of oil process and the overall amount of contamination.  Additionally, regeneration of oil, performed on the GlobeCore’s units allow for loss tangent reduction.

(6) And what about the acid number? 

The acid number is also reduced to the specific values.  The values of these and other performance characteristics of transformer oil before and after regeneration are defined in the table below.

Industrial Oils and Purification

Industrial oils are used as a lubricant reducing friction and wear of parts and components in various industrial machines.  The main functions of this type of oil is anti-corrosion protection, dissipation of heat from friction parts, removal of contaminants and reduction of foaming.

Industrial oils can also be used as the base for hydraulic fluid, as well as grease, that extends durability and service life of industrial equipment.

Despite the fact that practically all industrial oils are thoroughly tested in laboratories before dispatch to the user, the oils will become contaminated during use and operation.  Industrial oil, just as with any other oil, can become contaminated by atmospheric oxygen, water and particulate matter.  Interaction with aggressive media may accelerate oil oxidation that is accompanied by the accumulation of even more unwanted contaminants in the oil.

Saturation of oil by contaminants degrades the oil’s performance.  Due to aging and contamination,  industrial oils lose the ability to efficiently dissipate heat and protect equipment from corrosion.

It would seem that the aging process is natural and nothing can be done about it except replacing the used oil with new and disposing of the old oil.  A practical operator however, will be concerned by the additional costs of used oil disposal, as well as the frequent cost of oil changes.

Fortunately, aging of oil is not all that critical with the advent of modern additives and oil processing equipment.  The aging process therefore, can be significantly slowed and the service life of the lubricating oil can be significantly extended.

It is however, necessary to regularly take oil samples to know and understand the oil’s condition and to detect and identify the contaminants degrading the performance of the oil and to purify the oil in a timely manner.

GlobeCore is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of industrial, turbine and dielectric insulating oil purification systems.

The CMM-CM type units and  CFU-M filter carts made by GlobeCore are successfully operated in more than 70 countries around the world.  They are efficient for the purification and regeneration of industrial oils.

The ability to purify and regenerate industrial oil was made possible by using modern technologies and maximizing and customizing the processing operations for the individual client.

The CMM-CM units are designed for removal for water and solid particles from oil by using a special zeolite sorbent and subsequent reactivation of this sorbent in the system.

The CFU-M filtration carts are designed for removal of solid particles from industrial oil.  These units can purify the product in one cycle.

Both types are simple in service and operation and facilitate a significant extention of industrial oil service life cycle.

Fuller’s Earth From Clay; A Type of Ceramic Art

Clay; More than Just Art!

It has been a long time since man began to use clay for folk art and the creation of art objects.  All possible images that were originated in the minds of ancient people and continue to appear in modern enlightened minds, can be turned into reality and get their shape with the help of waxy clay.  But, imagination and centuries of experience teaches us to have a broader outlook of the world.  It is safe to say therefore, Clay is not just for art anymore!

At one time, clay was a material generally used only for crockery, amphorae and sculptures.  Today however, clay is quite widely used in cosmetology, medicine, household chemicals, industry and a whole host of other uses.

It is no longer a secret that the chemical composition of different elements, that originated from the Earth’s interior, has had different affects on their characteristics and abilities.  As for clay, its “recipe” is also quite different.  Thus, there are many different ways that clay can be used in our modern world.

Clay and Industrial Uses

Industrial enterprises in various fields are the main consumers of all inventions and innovations connected with chemical and technological transformations.  Clay has many components and one of them is known as “Fuller’s Earth.”  In the scientific community, it is known as an “adsorbent.”  This earthy material mainly consists of a clay mineral that is considered not too waxy.  Fuller’s Earth therefore, is used as an adsorbent material that filters and purifies by attracting and holding contaminates on its outer molecular structure.

The Fuller’s Earth adsorbent material got its name from the original application in which it was used for the removal of oil from textile materials.  Later, Fuller’s Earth became very popular for the filtration of vegetable and mineral oils.  Its versatility and flexibility gave the the Fuller’s Earth adsorbent material many advantages in the oil purification industry.

“Oil Regeneration” machines, that utilize the Fuller’s Earth adsorbent materials, have become the most efficient and cost effective machines for the recovery of waste industrial oils available in the industry today.

One “Fuller’s Earth” regeneration cycle fully restores the oil back to its original characteristics.  After the Fuller’s Earth has regenerated and restored the used oil back to like new condition, it can then be reactivated and ready to purify oil again and again.  Thus, these machines definitely can be classified as modern industrial “works of art.”  So, clay continues to serve man in both form and now function.

GlobeCore now offers Oil Regeneration equipment featuring the clay based Fuller’s Earth Adsorbent material that is the best and most cost effective oil purification method in the industry today.  The GlobeCore Process not only purifies and regenerates oil and hydraulic fluids utilizing Fuller’s Earth, it reuses the adsorbent materials based upon an automatic adsorbent reactivation system built in to the regeneration equipment.  The GlobeCore machines can continuously purify oil without having to change and dispose of the adsorbent materials.  This industry leading breakthrough makes the process of regenerating oil products clean, efficient, and most of all, very cost effective.  The Environment Loves the GlobeCore Process and you will too!  GlobeCore, using Clay for a cleaner environment.

Its time to get with the Process.  The GlobeCore Process!

Minerals and Their Useful Properties: The Fuller’s Earth Component

Today, all 78 chemical elements contained in the Earth’s crust are used in industry.  Each of them, in one way or another, is engaged in different industries and certainly have become the part of everyday life in the modern world.  But, it is not always obvious.  Probably in most cases we do not even see or understand exactly what these elements are and what they are used for.  But, they are all around us in many different products and services we use everyday.  Moreover, every kind of chemical element can be used in several ways and in many different applications.

Nowadays, businessmen are always looking for ways to reduce expenses and save precious resources.  The problems of environmental pollution and depletion of mineral resources in the available areas of extraction can greatly change the conventional technological decisions concerning production and the ability to turn a profit.

One of the most widely used petroleum products is industrial oil of which there are many different types for many different uses.  Transformer Oil, with its dielectric properties, is an available and reliable means of liquid insulation, cooling medium, and dielectric protection for electric power transformers, power turbines, and industrial grade hydraulic equipment.

Due to the relatively long service life of industrial oil, the industry has not been looking for an alternative that would serve the same purpose as industrial oil.  Industrial oils can last between three to ten years before replacement or replenishing of antioxidant additives becomes necessary.  Quality industrial oil can support continuous, undisturbed operation and protection of industrial systems for long periods of time.  Additionally,  industrial oil is a cost effective and a highly accessible resource.   During the service life of the oil, it normally does not have an aggressive effect on the local ecology and does not produce exhaust gases or emissions that can pollute the environment.

There is however, an environmental problem that may be posed by the creation of industrial waste oils.  And this problem has become the center of discussions that include: (1) monetary fines for environmental pollution; (2) complete replacement of the waste oil in engines and systems; (3) reduction of costs for the purchase, delivery, and filling of  new oil; and (4) avoidance of “unauthorized” violations in the operation of industrial oil-filled equipment.

The decision of whether or not to replace industrial waste oil, should be based on the availability of various complex systems for filtration, degassing, and regeneration based on the different adsorbent materials such as Fuller’s Earth.

Recent industry research has revealed that the most effective oil processing result is one that employs a machine that is capable of regenerating oil in a single-pass through the filtering system.  The oil should be restored to like new condition.  Additionally, the filtering system should be able to process large amounts of oil or fluid continuously without having to replace the sorbent materials.  The sorbent materials should be renewable and be capable of continued use for hundreds of oil/fluid regeneration cycles.  In choosing a system, we look for efficiency, cost effectiveness, and environmental protection.

The “Fuller’s Earth” adsorbent is clearly accepted as the most popular material for the regeneration of industrial oils all over the world and when employed in the GlobeCore line of equipment, meets all three of the most important considerations in choosing an oil processing system.

Fuller’s Earth is a highly active clay product with clearly defined absorptive properties.  It is also famous for its mineral structure.  Fuller’s Earth consists mainly of hydrated aluminum silicates that contain metalions such as magnesium, sodium and calcium.  Montmorillonite is the basic clay mineral in the Fuller’s Earth component structure.  The availability and correlation of other minerals, such as kaolin, attapulgite and palygorskit, depend on changes of the chemical structure.  Fuller’s Earth resembles clay however, and it has a fine-grained structure.  It also has a high water content and it does not have natural clay ductility.

Deposits of this kind of clay are found all over the world.  The range of its application is rather wide and varies from industrial fields to medicine and cosmetology.

Fuller’s Earth sorbent materials, which are used for the purification of mineral and vegetable oils and fats, became indispensable in the field of oil regeneration in the beginning of the previous century.

Owing to the latest developments, machines for oil regeneration and purification are now produced with complex systems that fully use the properties of Fuller’s Earth for purifying industrial oils and fluids.

The complex approach lies in such way that the equipment’s contaminated dielectric oil is exposed to different procedures and filtering degrees that include the adsorption process performed by the Fuller’s Earth sorbent materials.

The main benefit to the use of Fuller’s Earth can be found in its ability to regenerate industrial oil and fluids in a environmentally safe and cost effective manner.  GlobeCore has developed a process that regenerates oils and fluids with Fuller’s Earth and reuses the sorbent materials for up to 300 regeneration cycles.

The GlobeCore Process saves time, money, and the environment.  The used oil is restored to new like condition and the Fuller’s Earth sorbent is also saved and reused.  The restoration of the used oil saves huge amounts of time and money and since neither the used oil nor sorbent must disposed of, the process is environmentally friendly.  In fact, the GlobeCore Process is the most cost effective and environmentally sound process in the world today.

The Environment loves the GlobeCore Process and you will too!

Its time to get with the Process.  The GlobeCore Process!