Transformer oil recycling

Hydrogenation in combination with vacuum drying and filtration is the most complete and advanced process technology for recycling of waste transformer oils. In the Hydrogenation process, hydrogen gas reacts with sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine and other unsaturated compounds present in waste transformer oil, producing a water-white, stable product with low sulfur concentration and superior insulating properties. Sequoia understands how to preserve the desirable inherent characteristics of naphthenic oils during hydrogenation processing and target only the undesirable compounds in the spent oil.

Sequoia’s hydrogenation technology will almost completely destroy carcinogenic organic chlorine compounds such as PCBs (Polychlorobiphenyls) often present in waste transformer oils. The resulting base oils can meet rigorous OEM specifications of transformer oils in USA, EU and Japan.

Useful Numbers

Mass balance   In Waste Oil 100 Hydrogen 0.15 Water 1.5     TOTAL 101.65 Out Base Oil 99.5 Fuel Byproduct 0.5 Wastewater 1.5 Off-gas 0.15 TOTAL 101.65

Consumables for processing. 1m³ (1000 liters) of used/waste oil Parameter Electricity Fuel Water Catalyst Unit kWh m (US gal) Kg (lb) Quantity 80 255,000 (1.05) 0.3 (130) 0.2

Economics

The cost for electricity, fuel, water, wastewater disposal and chemicals will be $10-20 per m³ (US$ 0.04-0.08 per US gallon) of used oil processed.

Direct labor will be 10-15 persons.

The land requirement for a fully integrated facility will be about 1 acre (4000 m²).