Transformer mineral oil replacement with Shell MIDEL 7131 helps a UK manufacturer reduce transformer fire risk 

The Customer

A high-value manufacturing facility in the UK.

The Problem

A potential fire risk was identified within its building – a 1500 kVa mineral oil-filled transformer located in proximity to large gas cylinders. Given the potential flammability of mineral oil, the customer reviewed options to mitigate this risk.

The Shell MIDEL Solution

The decision was taken to replace (or “retrofill”) the mineral oil in the unit with Shell MIDEL 7131 – a K Class, synthetic ester fluid with a very high fire point (>300°C).  In addition, the ester base oil of Shell MIDEL 7131 is readily biodegradable according to OECD 301. As a result of retrofilling the transformer with Shell MIDEL 7131, the asset will be able to run at higher operating temperatures, delivering more reliability for the end user.

Grosvenor Oil Services, a Shell MIDEL Service Partner (MSP) was contracted to carry out the retrofilling work. To reduce disruption the work was completed on a one-day outage on site during the Christmas shutdown period.

The old mineral oil was drained into suitable containers and removed from site for disposal in accordance with Environment Agency legislation. The new Shell MIDEL 7131 ester fluid was processed into the transformer in accordance with manufacturer M&I Materials guidelines for retrofilling. The transformer was returned to service shortly after the work was completed.