We believe it may be helpful to draw your attention to a new standard (valid from March 2014) marking an important step in the transformer and insulating oil scene: IEC 62701*. This standard defines the requisites and methods for the collection, treatment and recycling of mineral insulating oils for transformers, switchgears and other equipment that uses mineral oil as an insulator and to transfer heat.
IEC 62701* highlights PCBs and DBDS as particularly critical, both of which must be “not detectable”; this means that the PCB content in oil must be < 2 mg/Kg (measured in compliance with IEC 61619) and the DBDS content must be < 5 mg/Kg (measure in compliance with 62697-1). Thanks to this standard, for the first time the re-refinement or regeneration sector is now regulated, a market which up until now has generated 500,000 tonnes of recycled mineral oil per year. This will also undoubtedly lead to a rise in demand from both mature and emerging markets. The new regulation represents a new opportunity for holders of electrical equipment, and in fact creates a parallel market to the new oil market.
* Fluids for electrotechnical applications – Recycled mineral insulating oils for transformers and switchgears
