Waste Transformer Oil

77 F-250

Registered User
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Posts
26
Reaction score
7
Location
New Hampshire
On the steam ships we would burn everything including paint. New regulations require low sulfur fuel to be used within 100 miles of coast. Outside that i think its below 3% sulfur now, stricter every year.
The fun part was fuel change over. 150C HFO to 5C ulsmdo. When the law first changed lots of ships lost all power and propulsion. And back then the change over was like 3 miles from shore.
Purifiers always running for water and cat fines. 10 micron strainers that were cleanable. To much volume for throw away filters.
There are lots of grades of crude, don't know much about it other then how to pump it and the garbage it leaves behind if the tanks aren't "washed " when discharging.
 

Far Right

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2022
Posts
116
Reaction score
80
Location
Australia
Not trying to sound like a *** head but if 8billion humans isn’t bad for the environment n they still think biodiversity is an option at that number I say burn ur transformer oil mate just don’t let it run on it at ur house if pcb’s or what ever scare you
 

Jesus Freak

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2022
Posts
3,206
Reaction score
3,613
Location
Crestview, FL
Anyone know anything about silicone transformer oil and if it would be good for fuel?
I don't know anything about it, but maybe just do the "burn test" I've seen you mention where you dip a rag in it and set it on fire.
 

Mt_Man

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Posts
257
Reaction score
119
Location
Portland, Oregon
Yep my buddy is getting a sample for me to do a test with as well as they are testing it to see what is in it. I just don't know about burning silicon based oils. Will it but completely?
This is some.info I found.
 

Mt_Man

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Posts
257
Reaction score
119
Location
Portland, Oregon
So an sds sheet I found says it's flash point is greater than 300c and when it burns it brakes down to CO, CO2, silica dioxide. Which isn't to bad. Should not have pcb's in it.
 

Kiwif150

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Posts
161
Reaction score
81
Location
Waimate New Zealand
Anyone know anything about silicone transformer oil and if it would be good for fuel?
I've been running waste transformer oil in my 02 super duty for over 4000km and no issues to date , i've got a mate that has 50000km of running in a 07 VW crafter common rail diesel - no issues there either.
 

Mt_Man

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Posts
257
Reaction score
119
Location
Portland, Oregon
Well did a burn test. Paper towel, little hard to light. Left white ash. I will try to do it again and take some pictures and document better.
Silicone might be bad for seals and cause leaks is what one article said about the change over from mineral oil to silicone base oils in transformers. Definitely could pose the same problem with engines. But it does blend well with various petroleum products and stays blended.
 

Mt_Man

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Posts
257
Reaction score
119
Location
Portland, Oregon
Silicone oil burn test. Dipped a paper towel in about half way and squeezed it slightly so it would not drip to much.
You can see the un-oiled bit of the paper towel burning too. White ash residues. Took a bit to light with a bick lighter. Seems like the paper towel had to burn first before the oil would wick through and burn.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20230118_182857689.jpg
    PXL_20230118_182857689.jpg
    684.2 KB · Views: 3
  • PXL_20230118_182952133.jpg
    PXL_20230118_182952133.jpg
    547.7 KB · Views: 3
Last edited:

Mt_Man

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2017
Posts
257
Reaction score
119
Location
Portland, Oregon
Second burn was of 50:50 silicone oil and jet a. Blended great and seemed to have 50% less white ash that formed on the outside of the paper towel. Notice it leaves some oil on the ground that does not burn or really get wicked up and burned. It was also dripping while on fire but the drops were not on fire. Lights with a bick lighter pretty easy with a wick. But not easy like diesel, oil, or gas does. Different. Puddle lighting is hard.
You must be registered for see images attach

Notice the oil residue size and oil look. Left 50:50, right straight silicone oil
You must be registered for see images attach

So next I took my electric hot plate and heated a soup can I cut for better air flow. Heated it up to the point it was smoking and used a torch to light it. It was noticably hard to light, flash(food food) and go out. Then it finally self sustained. It might have been a few tablespoons worth of silicon oil in the can.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You can see the ash build up pretty quick and has some good amount of white smoke.
 
Last edited:

Kiwif150

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Posts
161
Reaction score
81
Location
Waimate New Zealand
So far i've burnt 1500 litres of the transformer oil in the powerstroke , seems to have a little more power and doesn't smoke at all. When i first tried it i added 10% petrol as it was winter and the oil was noticeably thicker than diesel, after a couple of tanks i ran it at 100% and startup is the same as diesel.Apparently here we use either a mineral based or veg based oil for the transformers..... unsure as to which i have but having looked at your pictures MT Man, i'm going to try the burn test.
 

ttman4

Last Nite's Dream..
Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Posts
1,095
Reaction score
612
Location
Hi in the Cascades, Nearly- Redmond,Oregon
Well it should run great, you guys do what you want, but I want no part to do with transformer oil!!!!!

Back in the '70's & early '80's till '81 that I know about when I was contracted/leased to C&H Transportation Heavy Haul we used to catch a load hauling a big wide/heavy/hi transformer. Paid very well!!! But.......was scary.
We had to carry 2 shovels, one on each side of the truck, a big first aide kit, several things to retain/hem-up a leak, and an emergency phone # to call for fast help!!! If there was an emergency leak or a wreck etc, etc, we had to retain the leak, build a damn, anything to help, then call for help.

Actually thru-out the fleet with us guys it was understood that if anything happened we just RUN RUN RUN & KEEP RUNNING & DON'T LOOK BACK!!!! LOL LOL LOL
 
Top