Wow, what a busy 2016 it has already been! After returning from the Investment Recovery Association and trade show we thought it would be best to show the “value” in the scrap transformer recycling projects that we perform.
When some see the phrase “scrap transformers” certainly the commodity markets are of consideration. As the markets have taken a steady decline over the past six months to a year it’s important to focus on creative ways to save money and get the most for your scrap transformers.
At A-Line, we’ve offered unique services to our customers to help provide value company wide. While the overall recoverable value is important, evaluating hidden costs of the recycling process and knowing what can be learned by obtaining the right service is just as important. We want to share some of the ways that we’ve helped our customers save money and gain knowledge from their transformer recycling projects.
We often find that scrapping a transformer is an afterthought in the overall power transformer replacement project planning. We aim to get involved early to help our customers evaluate where we can help them save money and time in their processes.
This project is a perfect example of helping our customers save money. While the initial plan was to relocate this 600,000 pound plus transformer we offered to complete the work in the short allotted timeframe in place.
The planning and coordination paid off, saving a significant amount of money in relocation expense. Here is the step by step of the removal that took place on the pad.
After prepping the transformer for radiator and tap changer removal the tank was pulled, exposing the transformer core for further dismantling.
A-Line was able to complete this project in a week clearing the way for the replacement transformer to be placed on the pad and put into service.
Below is another transformer removal that we performed in place. This 850,000 pound beast of a transformer needed to be removed during a small window of time in order for the replacement transformer to be assembled and fired up. After draining the oil, A-Line mobilized our crew for the dismantling. This location proved to be sensitive in every nature. Due to its proximity to a major waterway extra steps were taken in order to ensure no oil was on the ground. Its size and placement within the bay proved to be yet another challenge that A-Line took on and conquered with ease.
This transformer required the removal of several large radiator banks as well as a sound enclosure prior to the actual dismantling of the transformer itself.
Once the radiators and enclosure were removed the crew took swift action piecing out the transformer tank, windings and core steel.
This crew put some hard work into clearing this transformer from the pad just before a winter blizzard hit. Relocating this transformer due to it’s size and the congested plant location would’ve required significant time and expense. A-Line saved an estimated $200,000 in relocation expense by working with our customer to complete this in place.
While not every project can be completed in this fashion we work to think outside the box utilizing our unique qualifications to better serve our customers. Another way in which we utilize our methods and equipment is in our transformer failure analysis offerings. What is the value of what can be learned from these projects? We feel that while it’s a difficult thing to put a number on, investigating the failure of a transformer could be priceless as it often leads to success with warranty and insurance claims or just by providing knowledge for better transformer fleet maintenance. If you’re familiar with our blogs, you know that we’ve showcased plenty of high profile forensic projects but we don’t always discuss the smaller ones. A-Line has developed a detailed process to provide our customers with samples and data from their transformers in order to provide them with all of the information they desire. Here is just a small showcase of photos and sampling we performed for a generator step up transformer that had been retrofilled with FR3 fluid.
Not every project requires extensive photography and samples; however, we cater to specific needs and can design each project to fit our customers requirements. While the added services are always important, we work to make sure the basics aren’t forgotten. Having a company with the proper environmental permitting, trained crews and insurance always comes first. We’re fortunate that our environmental and safety records speak for themselves. A-Line will always put this first with a goal to continue to provide value added services and offerings in ways maybe not thought of before. At A-Line we’re always looking forward to the next challenge.
