Transformer Compound Firewater Protection Transformer mineral oils and fire fighting PFOS are a major threat to the environment. Older transformers and switchgear compounds are even worse as they are frequently cooled/insulated using highly toxic and carcinogenic PCB compounds.
The inner bunded area is usually protected by a bund wall and the bund pump that is inhibited whenever oil is detected. In spite of these precautions, there are still a number of major incidents where the soluble PFOS laden firewater and oil mixture overwhelm the bund and oil interceptor resulting in a major pollution incident with some very serious political and financial consequences By fitting the EIL FlapstopperTM to the output of the oil interceptor before the soakaway or river, etc. it is possible to close of the interceptor during an incident ensuring the firewater and spilt oil is contained on site. The FlapstopperTM can be triggered automatically via the fire detection system or by the operation of the "gas / explosion relay". Similarly, the FlapstopperTM can be used to close off the output of the interceptor to prevent backwash during flooding.
Firewater Check Valve in Operation The illustration above excludes the bund pump but hopefully illustrates how the already costly loss of a transformer or piece of switchgear can be prevented from becoming also an environmental disaster.