Shell Europe announced last week it has introduced Diala S4 ZX-I, the first transformer oil in the market that is based on the new Shell GTL (gas-to-liquids) technology. The Shell Diala S4 ZX-I is essentially sulphur-free and, compared to traditional mineral-oil-based products, offers exceptional performance and long-term stability, even under high pressure. The new generation of Shell transformer oils were presented at the CWIEME trade fair (Coil Winding, Insulation & Electrical Manufacturing Exhibition), which took place in Berlin on June 4-6, 2013.

OEM/Lube News has been advised that this launch is taking place only in Europe for the time being and will be launched in the US at a later date.

Shell Diala S4 ZX-I is manufactured from pure GTL base oil, which is essentially sulphur-free. As a result, the risk of sulphur copper corrosion in the transformer is significantly reduced and thus higher reliability is offered.

"The key benefit of this premium product is its consistent chemical composition and performance", says Jörg Friedel, Global Product Application Manager for transformer oils at Shell. "Its formula contains a uniform molecular structure and low impurity levels, a base oil and an antioxidant. No other additives are required. It is free from PCB, and contains essentially no sulphur."

Shell Diala S4 ZX-I is characterised by outstanding thermal properties such as high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity to support good cooling performance, as well as an excellent ability to withstand severe voltage fluctuations, such as those experienced during switching processes or lightning strikes. Standard oxidation tests carried out in this sector have shown exceptionally good results including a significantly extended service life.

Shell has worked for many years on GTL technology, which uses chemical processes to convert natural gas into high quality liquid hydrocarbon products. Shell currently produces GTL products for the global market in its Qatar Pearl GTL plant. The largest facility of this kind in the world, it has a capacity to produce 140,000 barrels of GTL products daily. These include fuels, chemical feedstocks and premium base oils for lubricants. The latest achievement of this manufacturing process is Shell Diala S4 ZX-I transformer oil.

According to Shell, GTL-based transformer oils are fully miscible with conventional insulating oils and the performance of some conventional transformer oils can even be improved by adding such products. All Shell Diala transformer oils based on the GTL process have a tightly defined and uniform molecular structure ensuring consistent product performance and are supplied globally in accordance with these high standards.

Shell Diala S4 ZX-I meets the international standard for transformer oils, IEC 60296 (inhibited oils), Section 7.1 (High oxidation stability and low sulphur content), and helps ensure lasting protection of the transformer in use.