Manufacture of a transformer oil from egyptian paraffinic base stocks via a hydrogenation process

This paper describes work aimed at producing a high-quality transformer oil from local Egyptian paraffinic base stock by hydrogenation, or hydrogenation plus sulphonation. Analysis showed that the neutral base oil 70N was suitable for producing transformer oil. This neutral base oil was chemically treated by hydrogenation under various conditions of temperature, pressure, and time, using two different catalysts, and by hydrogenation followed by sulphonation using optimum conditions. Optimum hydrogenation conditions were achieved by using a Ni/Mo (10 wt. %) catalyst, at 275°C and 100 psi pressure for 60 min, while optimum sulphonation conditions were achieved in previous work by using oleum or SO3 gas at a concentration of 6 wt. % at 35°C for 60 min. Laboratory results and field trials indicated that the neutral paraffinic base oil when so treated meets the IEC 296 international specification for transformer oil, with the exception of the pour point (−18°C). However, this pour point is not relevant in certain hot climatic conditions. Evaluation of the treated oil with commercial transformer oil has shown its potential for use.