How We Clean Your Transformer Oil
Our multi-stage purification process restores used transformer oil to as-new condition. The oil passes through filtration, vacuum degassing, and dehydration stages that strip out moisture, dissolved gases, particulates, and oxidation by-products — all verified by an independent SABS accredited laboratory at every step.
The Cleaning Process
Four stages, each with a specific purpose — and independent lab verification throughout.
Filtration
The oil first passes through multi-stage mechanical filtration. This removes solid particulates — metal shavings, carbon deposits, and other contaminants — down to sub-micron levels. Removing these early protects downstream equipment and improves the effectiveness of later purification stages.
Vacuum Degassing
With particulates removed, the oil enters a vacuum degassing chamber. Dissolved gases — including oxygen, nitrogen, and combustion by-products — are drawn out under deep vacuum. Removing dissolved oxygen is critical as it is the primary driver of oil oxidation and long-term degradation.
Dehydration
Moisture is one of the most damaging contaminants in transformer oil, accelerating insulation breakdown and reducing dielectric strength. Our vacuum dehydration stage removes free, emulsified, and dissolved water from the oil — restoring its dielectric properties to specification.
Laboratory Testing
At each stage — and before any oil is released — samples are sent to an independent SABS accredited laboratory. Tests include dielectric strength, moisture content, acidity, interfacial tension, and colour. Only oil that meets SANS 555 (BS148) in full is certified and returned to service.
Common Questions
What you need to know about our oil cleaning process.
What contaminants does the cleaning process remove?
The process targets solid particulates, dissolved gases (including oxygen), free and dissolved moisture, and oxidation by-products such as acids and sludge.
How do I know the cleaned oil meets specification?
Every batch is tested by an independent SABS accredited laboratory before release. You receive a certificate of conformance confirming the oil meets SANS 555 (BS148).
How long does the cleaning process take?
Turnaround time depends on the volume and condition of the oil. We'll give you a realistic timeline when we assess your oil. Severely degraded oil may require multiple passes through the system.
Can all transformer oil be regenerated?
Most used transformer oil can be successfully regenerated. In rare cases where oil is too severely contaminated or has reached the end of its service life, we'll advise you accordingly rather than certify oil that doesn't meet specification.
Want your oil cleaned?
Get in touch and we'll assess your oil and walk you through the process from collection to certification.
Contact Us