CFD analyses of a test platform with different fluids for use in transformers

Abstract

Due to the need to improve the design of power transformers so that they maintain or increase safety while reduce their environmental impact, failures and costs, a design that allows to analyze their cooling systems is developed. A test platform to emulate the behavior of dielectric fluids in a 100 MVA transformer is analyzed in different ways in order to find out whether a whole or individual study of the different parts of the design is better. This process is done with CFD, which also allows to observe differences between different cooling fluids.It is determined a better behavior of mineral oil in all cases simulated. In addition, the feasibility of the analysis by individual parts for closed systems is higher due to the lower time and computational requirements for no high accuracy needs. However, the whole model offers accurately the velocity dependent parameters for ONAN operation.