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Ampcontrol to use MIDEL ester oil for transformers

Nov 21, 2019
Posted by Patrick Haddad

Ampcontrol and MIDEL have signed a partnership agreement to convert their existing transformers to using environmentally friendly ester oils.

According to a press release, the companies will “retrofill transformers containing flammable and toxic mineral oil with firesafe and environmentally friendly MIDEL ester oil in the Australian market.”

The agreement addresses the growing demand across Australian industry for ester fluid transformer retrofills. Transformers across Ampcontrol’s client base will be retrofilled with MIDEL ester fluid, to improve overall performance and deliver significant cost savings, while mitigating risk of failure due to extreme weather, increasing power demand and new generation technologies coming onstream.

In reaction to this press release from Ampcontrol and MIDEL, Molekulis Pty Ltd (Molekulis), a distributor of various mineral oils including mineral transformer oils and based in Australia, states: “While mineral transformer oil is combustible (as are esters) mineral transformer oil is not categorizedas flammable under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods codenor any other applicable legislation. Most transformer mineral oilsmeet the aspiration hazardcategory 1 thresholdwheningested through the respiratory system by humans. This is due to theviscosityofthe oilsbeing<20.5mm2/sat 40°C, not toxicity. Whilesome mineral transformer oils containing additives such as anti-oxidantsthatare harmful to aquatic life, they are not categorizedas toxic.”

Steve Jones, MIDEL Sales Director for Asia-Pacific commented: “Australia’s power network is under constant pressure from greater demand and new generation technologies coming onstream, in sometimes punishingly high ambient temperatures. With Ampcontrol, we are responding to the need to future-proof the country’s infrastructure, in the safest and most environmentally friendly way possible. By teaming up with an energy sector leader like Ampcontrol, we are combining our international experience and their local market knowledge to improve Australia’s grid reliability through transformer retrofills.”

Warwick Sommer, Ampcontrol’s Chief Operating Officer Mining and Infrastructure commented: “We are focused on delivering market-leading solutions to our customers that meet the unique challenges of their operations. We are proud of the breadth and depth of our transformer design, manufacture and services offerings. Working with high quality partners, such as MIDEL, enhances our ability to deliver for our customers. We believe this partnership is well timed as customers in Australia face growing transformer reliability challenges, and are actively looking at safer and more sustainable ways to manage these important assets.”

Source: Press Release Ampcontrol and MIDEL / Molekulis Pty Ltd

Photo (for illustrative purposes): Oil / Rudy and Peter Skitterians / Pixabay / Free for commercial use

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