PCB oil removed from transformers with a unique approach

2016-3-8

 USA, Kentucky: The U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) used a unique method to remove and dispose of PCB oil taken from transformers at the site.

60 distribution transformers filled with PCB oil, and supplying enough electricity to power 6,300 homes each, supplied power to the Paducah site for over 60 years, until PGDP ceased operations, reports Paducah Sun.

After they were disconnected from the power system, the oil from the transformers was drained into totes, and the transformers had to be thoroughly rinsed according to EPA regulations.

Instead of using a rinsing agent such as kerosene, lube oil which was already available at the site and also scheduled for disposal was used. This created a savings of nearly $500,000 and allowed an existing product to be reused before its disposal.

Source: Paducah Sun