- Envio is one of the world’s top names for the disposal of transformers and condensers containing PCBs.
Transformers recycling
The LTR² Method
The LTR² Method – Low Temperature Rinsing and Re-Use/Recovery – is a proven recycling technology that is used in the decontamination of electrical devices, liquids and other substances containing PCBs.
Decontamination
PCB contaminated transformers are cleaned in our fully automated treatment system according to high safety precautions with the help of the LTR² Method. This occurs in different processes:
Firstly the insulating fluids containing PCBs are drained out of the transformer – fluids and solid matter are separated. Afterwards the solid matter is decontaminated and is subjected to an intensive cleaning treatment in the cleaning unit. The transformer (container tank) is rinsed with a special cleaning agent.
The cleaning agent is reclaimed in the following distillation unit. The use of rinsing agent is minimal and illustrates an important environmental aspect. Overall a gentle and energy efficient preparation of the cleaning agent is possible through distillation. The PCBs obtained from the cleaning fluid are temporarily stored in a special safety tank until the final transformer disposal.
The materials of the transformer, that are not put back into operation, are almost completely – 95% of the transformer’s weight – reclaimed as secondary raw materials. These includes containers (scrape steel), spools (copper or aluminium) and the metasheets metal of the transformer core.
Disposal of PCBs
Fluids containing PCBs can be disposed of in various ways. They are either eliminated in special high-temperature incineration systems or the fluid is de-chlorinated and then decontaminated in a chemical manner using sodium.
Re-use
The treatment time for decontamination of a transformer depends on its size and method of construction as well as on the initial amount of PCBs. Using our method, the transformers are be decontaminated and remain far below the statutory limit for PCBs. Therefore, they can be put back into operation after treatment.