What are the uses of old transformer oil?

Old transformer oil (used as insulating oil) can still have a variety of uses after proper treatment. The specific application depends on the degree of oil pollution and the treatment process:

Direct reuse

1. Reuse of power equipment

- After purification (filtration, degassing, dehydration), it can be reused as insulating oil for:

- Non-critical distribution transformers

- Oil-immersed switchgear

- Reactors or capacitors

2. Supplementary oil

- After treatment, it can be used as supplementary oil for transformer oil of the same model (must comply with GB/T 7595 standard)

Industrial use

1. Lubricant base oil

- After purification by distillation, hydrogenation and other processes, it can be made into:

- General mechanical lubricant

- Metalworking fluid base oil

- Rust-proof oil raw material

2. Heat treatment oil

- Used for heat treatment processes such as metal quenching and tempering

3. Fuel oil

- High calorific value characteristics are suitable for:

- Industrial kiln fuel (must meet emission standards)

- Alternative fuel for cement plants

Deep processing uses

1. Regenerated base oil

- Regenerated through solvent refining, clay treatment and other processes:

- Transformer oil (by GB 2536 standard)

- Lubricating oil base oil

2. Chemical raw materials

- Extractable after cracking:

- Aromatic hydrocarbon compounds

- Rubber softener raw materials

Special applications

1. Wood preservative

- Used for anticorrosion of electric poles and railway sleepers after modification

2. Temporary antirust oil

- Short-term anti-rust protection of metal products

3. Asphalt modifier

- Improve asphalt fluidity and adhesion

Environmentally friendly treatment methods

1. Professional incineration

- Energy recovery in hazardous waste incineration plants

2. Microbial degradation

- Biological treatment of severely polluted waste oil

Precautions

1. Direct discharge is prohibited: Used transformer oil containing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) is a hazardous waste

2. Treatment standards: must comply with the "Technical Specifications for Pollution Control of Waste Mineral Oil Recycling" (HJ 607)

3. Treatment by professional institutions: It is recommended to entrust a unit with a hazardous waste business license to handle it

For slightly polluted transformer oil, recycling is the most economical and environmentally friendly option; severely deteriorated oil products are recommended to be harmlessly treated through professional channels.