OPTIMIZATION OF LOCAL SORBENT SELECTION FOR MITIGATING TRANSFORMER OIL SPILLS RESULTING FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
L. Yashchuk
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8975-851X
Cherkasy State Technological University
460 Shevchenka Blvd., Cherkasy, 18006, Ukraine
I. Maladyka
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8784-2814
Cherkasy State Technological University
460 Shevchenka Blvd., Cherkasy, 18006, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52363/2522-1892.2026.1.6
Received: May 4, 2026
Accepted: May 29, 2026
Published: May 30, 2026
Open Access License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Abstract. A distinctive feature of the war during 2024–2026 is the enemy’s coordinated military campaign to destroy Ukraine’s electric power sector. Ukrainian power substations, particularly those built during the Soviet era, are equipped with transformers filled with transformer oil containing high levels of PCBs. Damage to such substations causes transformer oil spills into the environment. To clean up oil spill sites, sorbents of synthetic and organic origin are used. This study analyzes the physicochemical properties of five sorbents: oil capacity, hydrophobicity, and reaction rate. When evaluating the economic efficiency of transformer oil sorbents, their bulk density (specific gravity), cost in the domestic retail market, and the sorption capacity declared by manufacturers were taken into account. Gravimetric and calculation methods were used to assess the effectiveness of the selected sorbents. A comparative analysis of the sorption capacity of the tested transformer oil sorbent samples was also conducted. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions in the winter (air temperature +15°C) and in the spring (+25°C) of 2024–2025. Transformer oil of the T-1500 grade (DSTU 4452:2005) was used as the petroleum product. A necessary condition for the selection of sorbent samples was that they be produced by domestic manufacturers in Ukraine.
Based on the results of studies and calculations, Thermographene E is the most promising material for cleaning up transformer oil spills. The disadvantages of the Ekonadin and Ecolan M biosorbents include high cost, limited sorption properties at low temperatures, and slow action. The low cost of wood shavings makes them an attractive sorbent for power plant owners, but difficulties in collecting used shavings and the problem of their subsequent disposal limit this choice. The practical value of this study lies in optimizing the selection of national sorbents for mitigating the consequences of transformer oil spills, taking into account their advantages and disadvantages.
Key words: adsorbent, oil capacity, hydrophobicity, sorption rate, temperature, floating, bioadsorbent, carbonization.
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