Simulation study on the structural optimization of composite insulators based on contaminant deposition

: Optimizing the aerodynamic structure of composite insulators can guarantee the safe operation of power systems. In this study, we construct a simulation model for composite insulator contaminant deposition using the COMSOL simulation software, and the rationality of the simulation model and method is verified through wind tunnel experiments. Taking the FXBW4-110/100 composite insulator as an example, we adopt a progressive optimization plan to explore the impacts of shed spacing 𝑠 , and shed inclination angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 on its contaminant deposition characteristics under DC and AC voltages. Based on the numerical simulation results, we analyze the antifouling performance of insulators before and after structural optimization. The results indicate the following: 1) The contaminant deposition of the insulator under AC and DC voltages is negatively correlated with the shed spacing 𝑠 , but positively correlated with the lower inclination angle 𝛽 . 2) Under AC voltages, the contaminant deposition of the insulator increases with the upper inclination angle 𝛼 , while under DC voltages, the contaminant deposition shows an uptrend first, then a downtrend and then an uptrend again with the increase of the upper inclination angle 𝛼 . 3) Compared with the original model, the AC-optimized model ( 𝛼 = 6 ◦ , 𝛽 = 2 ◦ and 𝑠 = 98 mm) with a larger shed spacing 𝑠 , and smaller shed inclination angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 showed superior antifouling performance at wind speeds of no less than 2 m/s, and under the typical conditions ( 𝑣 = 2 . 5 m/s, 𝑑 = 20 μ m, and 𝜌 = 2200 kg/m 3 ), its contaminant deposition is 15% less than that of the original model ( 𝛼 = 10 ◦ , 𝛽 = 2 ◦ and 𝑠 = 80 mm).