Is transformer waste oil still useful?

Waste transformer oil (usually mineral oil or synthetic ester insulating oil) can still be recycled or used for other purposes after proper treatment, depending on its degree of contamination and aging. The following are the main treatment methods and uses of waste transformer oil:

1. Re-refining

- Reuse after purification: If the waste oil is only slightly contaminated (such as moisture, particulate matter or slight oxidation), it can be purified through filtration, dehydration, deacidification, adsorption (such as white clay treatment) and other processes to restore its insulation properties and chemical stability and reuse it as transformer oil.

- Regeneration standards: It must meet the technical requirements of international standards (such as IEC 60422 or ASTM D3487) for regenerated insulating oil.

2. Downgrade utilization

If the waste oil cannot meet the insulating oil standards, it can still be used in other industrial fields:

- Industrial fuel: As a fuel for boilers and kilns, it is necessary to ensure that the emissions during combustion meet environmental requirements.

- Lubricant base oil: After processing, it is used in low-demand lubrication occasions (such as chain and gear lubrication).

- Asphalt diluent: used for asphalt modification or dilution in road construction.

3. Environmental protection treatment

- Hazardous waste disposal: If the waste oil contains toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals (need to be tested and confirmed), it must be handed over to professional institutions for hazardous waste treatment (such as high-temperature incineration or chemical decomposition).

- Direct disposal is prohibited: Waste oil is extremely polluting to soil and water bodies, and the Basel Convention and environmental protection regulations of various countries must be strictly observed.

4. Other innovative applications

- Ink or paint additives: After purification, it can be used as a component of oily products.

- Rubber softener: used as a processing aid in the rubber industry.

Notes

- Testing first: Waste oil needs to pass dielectric strength, acid value, moisture, gas content and other tests to determine the treatment plan.

- Professional institution treatment: The links involving chemical treatment should be entrusted to qualified waste oil recycling companies to avoid secondary pollution.

- Economic evaluation: The cost of regeneration may be higher than the price of new oil, and the economic benefits need to be weighed.

Transformer waste oil is not completely useless, but its value depends on the degree of pollution and treatment technology. Recycling is the priority, followed by downgrading, and finally, safe disposal when it is unusable. Environmental protection and compliance are the key!