Re: X-Ray Transformer VERY Scarred!

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

At 10:26 AM 5/3/2005, Tesla list wrote:
> Original poster: "Paul Marshall" <klugmann@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> The easy way to tell if it is PCB oil is to drop a drop in a glass of 
> water. if it sinks to the bottom it is PCB oil. If it floats to the top it 
> is just transformer oil. Also remember PCB oil is a General electric 
> product. If your transformer was made by someone else it is probably safe...

Hmm.. Askarel (PCB insulating fluid) is about 1.5 kg/liter, so it's denser 
than water.

Here's the tricky part.  What if someone had the device filled with 
Askarel, dumped it, and replaced it with mineral oil.  More than enough PCB 
will remain to contaminate ALL the oil, but the density of the liquid will 
be less than water.

However, there are many mineral oils that are denser than water.  In fact, 
EPA says to use 8 pounds/gallon (same as water!) as the assumed density for 
oil.


Many, many companies other than GE made PCBs.  The first one tested was 
called Aroclor 1260 (used in capacitors, I believe).  Other names 
Chlorinol, Dykanol, Pyranol, Pyralene, Clophen, Kannechlor, Delor, Sovol, 
Sovtol.

Here's a link to 150 pages of Q/A from EPA
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pcb/qacombined.pdf

Of note.. a question at the bottom of page 7.  Section xxx says all mineral 
oil filled electrical equipment can be assumed to have a PCB concentration 
of >=50 and <500 ppm.  Section xxx says if a transformer contains fluid 
other than mineral oil, it must be assumed that the concetration is greater 
than 500 ppm.

(These assumptions are for equipment while in use.. not stored, being 
repaired, etc.)

-- presumably 50 and 500 ppm are a significant breakpoints in how they're 
handled. E.g. for spills, etc.

In fact, later on, they distinguish between PCB transformers, 
PCB-Contaminated, and non-PCB transformers.

Transformers made after 2 July 1979 may be assumed to non-PCB (i.e. <50 ppm).






> Paul S. Marshall