Insoil Canada Ltd., Calgary, Alberta

Address: 231 Hampshire Pl. N.W.
Calgary, AB T3A 4Y7
CA

Mailling Address: 231 Hampshire Pl. N.W.
Calgary, AB T3A 4Y7
CA

Phone: (403) 547-0103

Insoil Canada Ltd.

Insoil Canada Limited was formed in 1988 and is located in Calgary, Alberta. Insoil's objective is to provide the electrical power industry with cost effective means of arresting the oxidation decay of oil-paper insulation and diminish the gassing of oil in high voltage power transformers.

The new environmentally friendly technologies developed by Insoil are:

A procedure designed to arrest the oxidation decay process of the oil-paper insulation used in 'free breathing' power transformers. This technique is to be distinguished from the use of oxidation inhibitors, which can only reduce the rate of degradation. The dissolved oxygen removal system was successfully tested in real life conditions.

A recycling procedure for aged insulating oils on-line according to which the spent Fuller's Earth can be repeatedly reactivated, maintaining the oil in pristine condition for the entire life time of power transformers.

A laboratory procedure that can quantitatively determine the amount of insoluble suspension in mineral oils by using the electrical sensing zone principle (Coulter Principle) was also developed in cooperation with Beckman Coulter company located in Miami, FL.

In addition, has developed innovative state-of-the-art laboratory techniques, which can establish a quantitative relationship between the laboratory gassing tendency test and the performance of oil in service. These testing procedures, such as Designations D 6180, D 6181 and D 6802 have been approved by ASTM over the past decade. They are already implemented in the market place by three commercial labs. One in Calgary, Alberta, the second in Vasteras, Sweden and the third in Manila, the Philippines.

Presently, Insoil is seeking joint ventures with Canadian or foreign firms in order to take advantage of the world-wide market interested in enhancing the service reliability of aged power transformers. Also, Insoil is willing to sign licensing agreements with companies interested to use or commercialize Insoil's new concept of on-line reclamation of aged oils and on-line monitoring the gassing of oil. The patent application No. 10/314,941 for this brand new system entitled Method and Apparatus for Decreasing Gassing and Decay of Insulating Oil in Transformers was recently approved by the American patent office.

Company Details

Products

Power Transformers

Environmental Products And Services

Laboratory Test For The Stability Of Insulating Oils Under Electrical Discharge.
This new quantitative test for the stability of mineral insulating oils under electrical stress is applicable to new, aged or reclaimed transformer oils. During this five hours test, main decay products such as gases, charge carriers and free radicals responsible for the deterioration of dielectric properties of insulating oils are generated due to electrical discharges. The amount of gases evolved is measured by pressure rise inside the discharge cell. Increase in the dissipation factor of the oil specimen is also determined. The testing procedure has been approved for standardization by ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials), Technical Committee D27 and designation D6180-98 Reapproved 2004. Technical Benefits: Main decay products responsible in real life for the deterioration of dielectric properties of insulating oils are generated and measured in laboratory conditions. A scientifically sustainable explanation for the mechanism of the oil decay process, caused by high gradients of electrical fields, is provided. Economic Benefits: Performance of transformer oils in service can be simulated by laboratory test. The gassing tendency of new, aged or recycled insulating oils can be accurately compared. The number of costly dissolved gas analysis can be significantly reduced.

Recycling Procedure For Aged Electrical Insulating Oils Used In High Voltage Power Transformers.
Aged transformer oils are reclaimed by removing soluble and insoluble decay products using Fuller's Earth as the adsorbent. Depleted adsorbent is repeatedly reactivated by solvent treatment. The solvent is fully recovered in a closed loop distillation system, minimal waste being generated. Regeneration of aged oils and reactivation of adsorbent can be performed separately, in which case the solvent used for reactivation is not present at the regeneration site. The entire recycling procedure for aged insulating oils is environmentally friendly. Technical Benefits: Through the recycling procedure, the performance of reclaimed oils used in power transformers is improved, oxidation stability is increased and gassing tendency is reduced. Use of recycled oils in aged transformers provides the potential for rejuvenation of oil paper insulation, thus extending transformer's life. Economic Benefits: Cost of recycled insulating oil is one third of the cost of new oil (approx. $0.30/litre) Regenerated insulating oils can achieve practically an endless life, by repeating the recycling procedure; transportation/Replacement/storage/disposal cost of aged insulating oils is avoided Industrial reclaiming equipment for aged insulating oils can be successfully exported in many countries. Dependency upon imported naphthenic crude can be reduced. Stage of Development A pilot plant and a design specification currently exist. The construction of a commercial prototype is under consideration. The cost involved with the prototype stage is estimated at $100,000 CDN.

Nitrogen Blanketing System.
The procedure is designed to arrest the oxidation decay process of oil-paper insulation used in 'free breathing' power transformers. This process is to be distinguished from the use of oxidation inhibitors, capable of only reducing the rate of degradation. Blanketing of the insulating oil in the transformer conservator is produced by a continuous flow of pure and moisture free nitrogen supplied by a membrane generator, mounted in close proximity to the power transformer. In isolated substations the use of high-pressure cylinders or liquid nitrogen is also an economically viable alternative. The nitrogen purges the surface of the oil, surplus nitrogen being discharged through a small aperture in the opposite wall and dissipated in the surrounding atmosphere. Thus, the contact of the oil with the ambient air is eliminated, the oxidation process of the insulating oil being arrested. Technical Benefits: Gassing tendency of the insulating oil under electrical stress is reduced by the removal of dissolved oxygen. Oxidation decay of oil-paper insulation is prevented by eliminating the oxygen, the cause of the aging process. Economic Benefits: Life expectancy of a power transformer may be extended by 50%, if the nitrogen blanketing system is installed within the first ten years of the transformer's life span. The cost of periodic laboratory analysis to monitor oil oxidation decay is significantly reduced. Use of antioxidant inhibitors is no longer necessary. Installation cost of a blanketing system for a medium size transformer (50 MVA) is less than 2% of the transformer cost. The technology appeals to an impressive world-wide market, Alberta alone having in use more than 1,000 medium and large size power transformers. Stage of Development The custom designed nitrogen blanketing system is available for immediate delivery by a Calgary supplier to companies world-wide. The effectiveness of the procedure can be monitored. In isolated substations the use of high-pressure cylinders or liquid nitrogen is also an economically viable alternative.

Insoil Canada Ltd.