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Buying and Storing Transformer Oil

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Purchasing transformer oil is an important financial decision for your company.  It should be done very responsibly.

First, the buyer must a choose a brand of oil.  This requires careful consideration based on the type of equipment being used and the operating conditions the oil and the oil’s abilty to meet those conditions.

Second, the cost of the oil must be considered.  A small price difference in the cost of just one liter small can turn into a significant amount of money when purchasing a large volume of oil.

There are no universal recommendations for buying transformer oil. There are however, online services allowing buyers to compare transformer oil prices from various suppliers.  It is up to the buyer to research and choose a reliable wholesale distributor or retailer.

If you have already purchased transformer oil that meets the correct specifications and quality standards, then it is time to think about oil storage.

The practical way to store the oil is to use clean and dry, steel air tight vessels.  The tanks are usually coated with an oil resistant material inside.  The outside of the tanks should have anticorrosion and light reflecting coating.  The acceptable range of temperatures for storage of transformer oil is -40ºС to +60ºС/-40ºF to +140ºF.

The vessels should be equipped with valves for filling and draining as well as a manhole for cleaning, inspection and repairs.  Breathing systems must be equipped with silica gel or zeolite cartridges that can be monitored by special monitoring devices.

Three days after putting the oil into a storage tank, samples are normally taken for laboratory analysis.  Transformer oil in storage should be tested at least once a year for the following parameters:

  •  flashpoint;
  • dielectric strength at 90ºC/194ºF;
  • water extract reaction;
  • acid neutralization number;
  • particulate matter content in mircons; and
  • free water and moisture content.

It is also recommended to test the dissipation factor at 90ºС/194ºF at least once a year.

Each time the oil is tested for quality and purity, the results must comply with the parameters of fresh transformer oil regardless of the length of storage. Otherwise, the oil must be purified and regenerated to restore the oil to its new and clean condition.

GlobeCore offers a line of oil purification units under the CMM classification. These units improve color, remove acids, bases, and other aging products from any turbine, dielectric insulating oil, and industrial oils.

One of the advantages of the GlobeCore CMM line of units is their ability to regenerate oil on an energized transformer.  Another important advantage is the ability to reactive the fuller’s earth sorbent inside the unit many times over, reducing downtime for sorbent replacement and replenishment.

After the processing of transformer oil with GlobeCore equipment, transformer insulating oil is restored to an as good as new condition.

Purchasing a GlobeCore CMM unit gives you a modern efficient machine that is easy to operate and service.  The use of GlobeCore equipment and GlobeCore Process will extend the service life of the oil and the transformer significantly.

Selling Transformer Oil: The Right Way to Supply, Receive and Accept the Product

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In any business, be it a toy store or transformer oil sales, there are many fine points to consider.  Knowing them will save you time and money.  In this article, we will look into the process of supply and receipt of transformer dielectric insulating oil.

Every sale of transformer insulating oil must be accompanied by the correct technical documentation.  The information required on the batch can be given in original certificates or in official extracts from the original documents.

Receipt and acceptance occurs before removing the oil for use from the shipping container or tank. Ooil samples must be taken and analyzed for compliance with  the product’s claimed and documented performance specifications.  Among the parameters that must be varified are:

  • dielectric strength;
  • flashpoint;
  • acidity;
  • water soluble acid and base content;
  • particulate matter; and
  • water.

An analysis of the oil’s oxidation stability and dissipation factor at 90ºС/194ºF should be performed for electric power transformers of 110kV and above.  This analysis should also include transformers of especially important facilities regardless of the voltage class or level.  If the oxidation stability analysis is to be performed after the oil leaves the shipping container, it is recommended to take samples in the presence of the oil supplier.

For the protection of your company whether buying or selling, and to facilitate arbitration in the matter, should the need arise, one of the samples should be sealed and stored.  This will provide all the parties with an used sample of the oil so that the initial oil quality may be detemined even after the oil has been used.

Samples are taken in the following cases:

  •  If supplied in rail road or truck tanks, samples are taken before draining from each tank
  •  If supplied in barrels, the number of samples is determined by the terms of supply, however, there should be at least 1 sample per 10 tons of supplied oil.

If the results of the laboratory analysis are favorable, the transformer oil is taken to the client and pumped into the buyer’s tanks.  The oil is then either stored or treated before being used in oil filled equipment like transformers and oil filled switches.  Transformer insulating oil is transferred from tanks through hoses using additional special equipment at the storage facility.

If the lab results show that the purity of the oil is not in compliance with the established standard(s), the product must be purified immediately or prior to placement in the oil filled equipment.  Failure to do so will most likely result in preamture equipment failure and unscheduled equipment down time.

GlobeCore manufactures and supplies mobile oil treatment units such as the Mobile Oil Station type CMM-M.  The GlobeCore CMM-M units are designed for degassing, removal of particulate matter and heating of dielectric insulating oils used in electric power transformers of up to 1150 kV.  The CMM-M units can be used to heat oil filled electrical systems with hot oil as well as for vacuum drying and vacuumizing of oil filled equipment.

The following advantages of the GlobeCore CMM-M units should be noted:

  • Purification of dielectric insulating oil in one cycle;
  • Significant service life extension of insultaing oil and equipment;
  • Wide range of equipment options; and
  • Simple operation and servicing.

The CMM-M units can operate in one of three modes:

  • filtration;
  • filtration with heating; and
  • thermovacuum purification and oil degassing.

The Transformer Insulating Oil Filtration Process

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The dielectric properties of transformer oil (e.g., breakdown voltage or dielectric loss factor) can be significantly improved by degassing and the removal of water and moisture from the oil.  Only clean and uncontaminated oil with the correct specifications is suitable as the liquid insulation for electric power transformers.

Often though, even new and unused transformer oil can be considered unclean and unsafe for use in electric power transformers as the oil can become contaminated during transport from the oil producer to the transformer operator.  During the time the oil is being used in the transformer, it will absorb moisture, dirt particles, fibers, soot and other products of oil and transformer aging.

The transformer oil therefore, needs to undergo a comprehensive filtering process.  The filtering process must be able to remove contaminants that includes solids, free and dissolved water and dissolved gases.

The filtering process of transformer oil is a complex procedure of removing the above described contaminants down to acceptable levels.  In recent studies, experts have revealed that serious problems can occur when insulting oil makes contact with moisture, flammable gases, and other transformer decay products.  In order to make the necessary correction, the operator should regularly monitor the condition of the insulating oils.

Companies that produce equipment for processing transformer insulating oils, cover a wide range of services and products.  They include such things as machinery for filtering transformer oil, insulation oil cleaners, cleaning systems for lubricants, machines to filter hydraulic oil, regeneration equipment for turbine oils and other industrial oil filtering equipment.  In recent decades, there has become a comprehensive network of high-tech enterprises that operate around the world.  They provide integrated systems and parts for the implementation of the transformer oil filtering and regeneration processes.

The transformer oil filtering process is a continuous circulation of oil through purification units in a closed loop system.  The oil passes through several filters of both coarse and fine filter mediums before the system further cleans the oil through a  vacuum drying, degassing and adsorption process.  The process is designed to remove dirt, sludge, foreign particles, dissolved gas and other contaminants found in the oil.  Moreover, the filtering unit can continuously analyze and control the oil at all stages of the purification process.

All systems for filtering transformer oils should have certain safety features built in such as liquid level detectors and pressure sensors.  These safety features should be incorporated into the design of the cleaning equipment.  They are needed in order to maintain the necessary level of oil inside the transformer and to prevent oil spills

The design of filters and pumps should provide for a filtering process, vacuum and degassing process that is powerful enough to quickly and efficiently process oil, without affecting the continued operation of electric power equipment.  Assessment of the effectiveness of the process is provided with tools for monitoring flow rate.

GlobeCore does all of this and more!  GlobeCore has a line of oil processing equipment that has become the most popular and cost effective equipment in the industry.  Take a look at GlobeCore and see if your company can benefit from the GlobeCore Process!

How to Choose the Best Oil Filtration System?

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The choice of a product depends on various external factors.  Price, quality, performance, and reliability are just some the considerations when choosing a product.  The choice of industrial equipment also depends many of the same factors.

In choosing oil processing equipment, you will find that there are many different types of processing units intended for purification of different petroleum based oils  and fluids.

There are a large number of manufacturing companies specializing in oil processing systems. These systems include a wide range of equipment used to process different lubricants, hydraulic and turbine oils, and complex systems for oil regeneration.

The purchase of equipment for the filtration and purification of used oils is justified through the saving of money and resources.  Additionally, this equipment greatly helps in reducing problems with equipment failures and downtime, as well as reducing environmentally harmful waste oil products.  Overall, these modern machines greatly increase the service life of industrial equipment.

When choosing the right processing equipment for your business, strict attention should be paid to the technical specifications of the filters that will be used by the processing equipment:

  1. The physical size of the oil filter. This key component of the purification system must be small enough to save space and weight, but have high filtration performance in both volume and filter fineness;
  2. Filter Test Results.  Oil filters can be monitored in various ways, but one of the most common methods is the beta-factor test.  The beta factor is calculated by dividing the number of the larger particles trapped in the filter medium by the number of particles of the same size downstream of the filter.  For example, if the beta ratio is 10:1, it means that for every ten (10) particles that enter the filter, only one (1)passes through the filter without being trapped in the filter medium;
  3. Pore ​​size of the filter medium; and
  4. Performance and rate  flow.

According to studies conducted by General Motors, and published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), it was determined that the service life of an engine can be increased eight times by using five (5) micron filter mediums instead of the standard 40mm filter medium found in most massed produced automotive oil filters.

This means that the steady improvement of oil filtration systems will continue as the cost of new equipment rises and consumers demand better equipment with longer service lives.  There is an old saying that contends that oil does not wear out, it only becomes dirty.  In any case, keeping oil clean and free from contaminants and moisture will greatly extend the service life of your electric power equipment and hydraulic systems.

The traditional oil change therefore, is no longer necessary.  The high tech equipment available from GlobeCore can keep your insulating oils and hydraulic fluids in new like condition indefinitely.  Oil Processing units from  GlobeCore remove soot and sludge, dirt, moisture and dissolved gases.

If however, you decide to invest in oil processing equipment, it is worth taking the time to carefully consider your needs.  You will soon learn that not all systems for filtering oil are created equal.  Sometimes, bright brochures are specifically designed to confuse the customer.  As the consumer and business manager, you should make sure that filtration and processing equipment has passed all the necessary tests and has verified results of performance.  Here at GobeCore, we work with our customers to determine the best equipment that meets the needs of our customers.  GlobeCore has a very large and diverse line of oil processing equipment.  We work very closely with our customers so you get the best and most cost effective equipment to compliment the needs of your business.

An assortment of oil filtering systems from GlobeCore

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The GlobeCore Company offers a large selection of equipment for the purification, filtration, degassing and recovery of contaminated insulting oils and hydraulic fluids.  The main feature and benefit of oil processing systems from GlobeCore is their high productivity and the high quality of results after only one cycle of filtration.

The way a particular piece of equipment functions will depend on its type.  For example, the oil filtration station DSPD-1.7 M (DSPD 4) is designed for mechanical purification of diesel fuel and  insulating oils having a viscosity that does not exceed 70sSt at 50°C/122°F.  The DSPD 4 is used during the initial installation, maintenance and operation of oil-filled equipment.

Inherent in the design of this type of equipment, is its the ability to work in a variety of technically challenging conditions and in high and low temperature extremes.

A more complex pattern of purification is found in the GlobeCore Mobile Oil Station SMM-1.0M.   It is designed to process the same type of transformer oils as the DSPD 4, but provides cleaning to Grade 9 after the initial pass and up to purity Grade 13 after repeated passes through the filter unit.

Later models such as the GlobeCore CMM line of oil processing units are capable of processing contaminated transformer insulating oils regardless of the level of contamination.  The CMM line is the best equipment in the world today for the maintenance of electric power transformers.

The versatility of the GlobeCore modern oil filtration systems allows the GlobeCore equipment to process various kinds of insulating oils and hydraulic fluids for all types of power equipment.  GlobeCore units are designed to provide the operator with the maximum energy and cost savings over the service life of the equipment and the service life of your transformers.

Moreover, the GlobeCore Process of oil filtration does not require the readjustment of power equipment or staff training.  Easy maintenance and high performance make the GlobeCore line of equipment the most cost effective in the world today.

A Practical Exercise on Transformer Oil Processing Equipment

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Purification equipment for the filtration and degassing of transformer oils are among the most common models used to treat and restore insulating oils and fluids when performance levels have been partially or completely lost.  Oils and fluids, in connection with heavy loads on power transformers and other oil-filled equipment, are subjected to temperature extremes that degrades the performance of the fluids.  The oil is also subjected to and moisture and other contaminants that cause the oils and fluids to age and oxidize putting the oil filled equipment in jeopardy of breakdowns and failures.

The purification of transformer oil by means of mobile filtration equipment is currently quite simple and efficient.  The process consists of cleaning preheated oil taken directly from the transformer tank.  There are various types of filtering systems that include high vacuum, drying and adsorption methods of purification.

If we take for example, the work of one of these units, the oil mobile station, (type HMM) we see that it is designed for mechanical purification, vacuum and heat treatment and removal of moisture content and the unwanted gases found in transformer insulating oil.

GlobeCore Mobile Oil Processing equipment for the filtration of transformer oil is built on a frame with lockable doors.  The unit can be mounted on a frame-tray or on special trailers for movement within the industrial servicing facility.

Standard packaging in mobile purification units include the vacuum vessel, ( the vessel will differ depending on the individual model setup), device management, oil pumps (particularly NSH1 and NSH2), vacuum pump (HB), and a system of pipelines and filters designed for coarse and fine filtering.

A cylindrical oil tank is made of sheet metal and equipped with heaters with electric power of 1.2 kW each.

The units used when processing transformer insulating oil are always equipped with a variety of sensors and controls such as a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the heating process

Full control over the operation of a processing unit is performed by means of the control cabinet where the computerized are housed.  The control cabinet is made  of a durable metal construction and is lockable.  Inside the control panel is where the electrical switchgear is located.  The cabinet contains buttons to control the filtration station as well as lighted warning and signaling devices to alert the operator of any malfunctions.

There are many different types of equipment for the filtration of used transformer oil.  The various filtration systems differ in the number, capacity, amount of energy consumed and the number of processing times for job completion.  The more developed the technology found in the processing equipment, the more sophisticated and cost effective the equipment will be in purifying the oil.

The most cost effective oil purification systems are found in the GlobeCore line of oil processing equipment.  The GlobeCore Process is a complete process of oil regeneration and is the least expensive transformer Service Life Extension Program in the industry today.  It’s time to get with the Process.  The GlobeCore Process!

Purification of vegetable oil at agricultural facilities

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Vegetable oil is made from oily seeds by mechanical process of pressing the feedstock. The byproduct of the process is cake.

Literature states that such oil contains a large amount of vitamins and biologically active substances.

With cold pressing, the natural color and taste of oil are preserved. But this leaves the oil cloudy due to the presence of slime and proteins, which should be filtered from the product.

When oil content of the seeds reaches 50%, the most efficient process involves two pressings, pre-pressing in continuous presses and then in screw presses.

Purification of vegetable oil is separation of suspensions. It is classified in dependence of which phase moves in relation to the other.

During settling, particles move in relation to the continuous media, while during filtration, the dispersion phase passes through concentrated dispersed phase. Centrifuge purification allows removal not only of solid particles, but also water.

An indication of centrifuge operation is the separation factor and throughput capacity. For example, conical centrifuges are approximately three times more efficient than cylindrical.

As far as centrifuges are concerned, their purpose being purification of vegetable oils, the main parameters are capacity at selected degree of purification, and the dependency of quality on the centrifuge performance, oil quality and filters.

Using separators for purification of vegetable oil does not allow complete removal of solid particles.

If an additional filter barrier is installed in conical centrifuges, purification is more efficient than with separation alone.

Filtration at constant speed leads to increase of sediment resistance due to increase of its thickness.

In case of high pressures, which may occur in centrifuges, the sediment compacts to a high degree, leading to resistance increase. This is why filtering centrifuges should not be used for separation of suspensions with highly compressible sediment.

To increase quality of purification, the product exits the centrifuge through the central outlet.

Hydraulic oil purification

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Hydraulic oil is the fluid powering hydraulic systems. Hydraulic fluids may be oil, water-glycol or synthetic. The main purpose of hydraulic fluid is to transmit energy from the source to the point of application. Depending on the task, the force and its direction may change.

No hydraulic drive can operate without liquid operating medium, being the essential element of any hydraulic system.

To satisfy the strict requirements, dictated by modern hydraulic drive development, fluid must comply with the following:

  •      optimal viscosity and high viscosity index
  •      high anti-oxidation stability, thermal and chemical stability
  •      reliable protection against corrosion
  •      simple filtration
  •      sufficient anti-foam, de-emulsification and de-aeration performance
  •      good wear protection

All fresh hydraulic oils are certified, i.e. the oil’s performance is confirmed. By purchasing a certified product, the customer can be confident in its performance.

However, during operation hydraulic fluids and oils come under influence of a wide range of temperature, pressure and stream velocity. Contamination leads to stable foaming, which can cause hydraulic equipment failure.

Organic contaminants have similar physical properties with the operating fluid. Appearance of oxidation products leads to increase of acidity in the liquid and corrosion of metal parts. When temperature increases, the oxidation process intensifies, as the oil contains solved or emulsified air. Another negative influence are solid particles, which increase part wear.

It should be noted that most contaminants enter the liquid during operation. The growth of contamination increases proportionately with the increase of the friction force in hydraulic systems, hydro-distribution system starting force and wear of friction parts. All this decreases performance and reliability of hydraulic systems. Therefore purity of hydraulic oil is essential.

To make life easier for the client, GlobeCore developed and supplies the CMM-4MT units, designed for complete purification of hydraulic oil. The only requirement to the product is that its viscosity does not exceed 280 cSt at 50 ºС.

The equipment is one of its kind, allowing purification of hydraulic oil to purity class 9 from purity class 13. The impressive result is achieved by multiple passes of the hydraulic oil through special filters. Besides, the CMM-4MT can heat hydraulic oil.

On customer requires, the units can be stationary or mobile.

Purchasing GlobeCore’s equipment allows to significantly extent the life time of the oil and equipment where the oil is used.

Motor oil purification

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Purification of motor oil is quite an important process with the annual growth of the number of vehicles. More automobiles mean more motor oil to dispose of, or to purify by restoring its qualities for further reuse. Disposal is an expensive process and is often problematic from the environmental viewpoint. The following is an overview of the modern oil reclamation approaches.

It should be noted that the process of purification of motor oil occurs in special repair facilities or any other site where extensive quantities of new oil are used, or old oil collected.

Used motor oils are collected separately by types into baths, mobile or stationary drain devices and funnels. Storage is also separate. Used product is stored in barrels or any other closed vessels. When all available vessels are closed, the used product is sent to purification facility.

If the purification equipment operates in one shift, the annual volume of purified oil can be up to 100 tons.

In general case, mineral oils previously used in equipment, tractors, road construction machinery, combines etc can be purified.

Industrial purification and regeneration of motor oils implies intensive influence of high temperatures, acids and alkali. The equipment for purification can be quite complex. The processes can also have a negative effect on the oil. To neutralize such effects, a finishing purification is required to bring the regenerated product to specifications by mixing it with additives.

Industry experts point out that waste motor oils can be restored in most cases for reuse in machines which operate with fewer loads. The required condition for start of regeneration is careful collection of oil to prevent water, dust and detergents from entering the oil.

Purification of used motor oil allows to significantly improve its properties (water content, particulate matter content, acidity, stability, viscosity etc). A correct selection of regeneration methods requires a quick analysis of the product.

The process of used motor oil regeneration consists of several stages: preparation and heating of the product, treating the oil with a special separation agent, coarse purification (settling), fine purification with centrifuges and storage with subsequent dispatch of the product to the customer.

Approaches to purification of motor oil with increased amount of contaminants are different. If a droplet of the product leaves a black stain on filter paper, the proruct must be pre-treated in a reactor tank. The product is pumped into the reactor tank and heated, then finely dispersed separation agent is added to the product. The product and the agent are stirred for 5 – 7 minutes for better coagulation and settling. The suspension then must settle in the reactor for 10-24 hours. The time depends on original degree of contamination, water and detergent content.

Then the oil is treated to remove fine particulate matter and water.

A sample of oil is then analyzed in a laboratory to determine its properties and to choose further reuse.

Mobile industrial oils and their purification

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Industrial oil by Mobile are used as a lubricant reducing friction and wear of parts and components of 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.

Mobile industrial oils can also be used as the base for hydraulic fluid, as well as grease, which extends durability and lifetime of equipment.

Despite the fact that practically all industrial oils are thoroughly tested in laboratories before dispatch to the user, the oils become contaminated during operation.

Mobile industrial oil, just as any oil, can be contaminated by atmospheric oxygen, water and particulate matter. Interaction with aggressive media may accelerate oil oxidation, which is accompanied by accumulation of even more contaminants in the oil.

Saturation of oil by contaminants degrades the oil’s performance. Due to aging, the industrial oil cannot efficiently dissipate heat and protect equipment from corrosion.

It would seem that the aging process is natural and nothing can be done about it, save replacing industrial oil with new and disposing of the old oil.

However, a practical operator will be concerned by the additional costs of disposal, as well as frequent oil changes.

Fortunately, aging of oil is not critical. The process can be significantly slowed; the lifecycle of lubricating oil can be significantly extended. It is necessary to regularly take oil samples to understand the oil’s condition and to detect contaminants degrading performance to purify the oil in time.

In theory, the methods are abundant, with the most efficient ones used practically.

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

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

This was made possible by using modern technologies and maximizing customization operation for the individual client.

The CMM-CM units are designed for removal for water and solid particles from the 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 life cycle.