Hot Oil Cleaning
Stop Oxidation in Its Tracks with Hot Oil Cleaning
Why Transformers Need Hot Oil Cleaning
Oxidation is a silent enemy of transformer insulation. Over time, heat, moisture, and oxygen combine to create acids and other harmful byproducts that attack and weaken paper insulation. Left unchecked, these oxidation decay products accelerate aging and cause permanent damage that cannot be reversed.
Once paper insulation life is lost, it cannot be restored. Early intervention is the only way to preserve what's left and extend your transformer's reliable operating life.
Key warning signs your transformer may need hot oil cleaning:
- Rising acid levels in oil analysis
- Declining dielectric strength
- Increased power factor values
- Evidence of sludge formation
- Elevated operating temperatures
- Transformer approaching 20–25 years of service
Our Hot Oil Cleaning Process
Our proprietary hot oil cleaning process goes beyond standard filtration. We recirculate heated oil through your transformer using specialized recyclable filter media that captures and removes oxidation decay products from both the oil and the solid insulation. This halts the aging process and extends transformer life for years.
Proprietary recyclable filter media
Cleans both oil and paper insulation
Energized or de-energized service
Expert execution
How Oil Cleaning Works
01
Assessment
Oil analysis confirms oxidation levels and cleaning requirements.
02
Circulation
Heated oil circulates through proprietary recyclable filtration media, removing decay products.
03
Monitoring
Continuous testing ensures thorough cleaning of oil and paper insulation.
04
Verification
Final oil analysis confirms successful removal of contaminants.
Why Partner with the Experts
Proven track record.
60+ years of successful transformer life extension and maintenance expertise.
Expert technicians.
Trained professionals with proper instrumentation and quality equipment.
Proprietary process.
Unique recyclable filter media that cleans both oil and insulation.
Comprehensive testing.
Before, during, and after service to ensure thorough cleaning.
Total reliability focus.
Part of complete transformer lifecycle management services.
Resources
We’re the transformer experts so you don’t have to be. Explore resources backed by 60+ years of end-to-end transformer care experience and diagnostics data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot oil cleaning or oil reclamation is an advanced maintenance process that removes oxidation byproducts — such as acids, sludge, and moisture — from transformer oil and solid insulation. By circulating heated oil through specialized filtration media, it cleans both the liquid oil and the internal paper insulation, helping stop further deterioration.
Over time, heat, moisture, and oxygen combine to create acids and harmful byproducts that attack paper insulation. Left unchecked, these oxidation decay products accelerate aging and cause permanent, irreversible damage and eventual failure. Hot oil cleaning halts this process and extends transformer life.
Routine oil testing is the best way to identify the right timing. Schedule hot oil cleaning if your oil analysis shows rising acid numbers, declining dielectric strength, or increased power factor values — or if you notice sludge formation, elevated operating temperatures, or your transformer is approaching 20–25 years of service.
Yes. SDMyers can perform hot oil cleaning on both energized and de-energized transformers, giving you flexible scheduling options to minimize operational downtime.
Standard filtration primarily removes particles and moisture from the oil. Hot oil cleaning goes further by:
- Removing dissolved oxidation byproducts (like acids)
- Cleaning solid insulation, not just the oil
- Actively slowing insulation aging, not just improving oil clarity
SDMyers’ process is designed to:
- Clean both oil and solid insulation
- Use proprietary recyclable filter media
- Leave zero waste on-site
- Include continuous monitoring and verification testing
Hot oil cleaning halts further degradation, significantly slowing the aging process and extending its usable life, but it cannot restore paper insulation life that has already been lost. Early intervention is critical — the sooner it's performed, the more transformer life can be preserved.
Talk with a Transformer Expert
Get a free quote or consultation — we’re here to help.
Call (330) 630-7000 or fill out the form to connect with an SDMyers transformer expert today.
