Subsea Transformer and Shunt Reactor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea AC power supply systems face challenges with excessive capacitive current generation during long-distance high-voltage power transmission, leading to reactive power issues and increased risks of seawater leakage and maintenance costs due to the need for multiple subsea HV penetrators.
Innovation Solution
A subsea AC power supply device with a transformer and shunt reactor housed within a common watertight compartment, connected via a dry-mate HV penetrator and filled with dielectric oil, allowing seawater circulation between compartments for cooling and reducing the number of subsea HV penetrators, with a disconnectable electrical connection between the shunt reactor and transformer to prevent seawater leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple subsea HV penetrators are used to house transformer and shunt reactor separately, then the capacitive current compensation is effective, but the risk of seawater leakage and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transformer and shunt reactor into a single common watertight housing, reducing the number of separate subsea HV penetrators required. This merging of previously separate components eliminates multiple potential leakage points while maintaining the functional integrity of both the transformer and shunt reactor within one protected enclosure.
2Device complexity
If transformer and shunt reactor are housed separately, then the electrical connection is simpler, but the overall device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer and shunt reactor are integrated within a single common watertight housing, consolidating what would otherwise be separate devices. This merging reduces the overall device weight and footprint while the internal electrical connection maintains the necessary functional simplicity for connecting the shunt reactor to the transformer primary winding.
3Reliability
If dielectric oil is used for insulation and cooling, then the electrical insulation is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dielectric oil to provide electrical insulation and cooling within the common watertight housing. While this adds weight compared to air insulation, the oil provides superior electrical breakdown resistance and thermal management, which are critical for high-voltage subsea operation. The weight increase is an acceptable trade-off for the enhanced reliability and performance in the harsh subsea environment.
4Temperature
If seawater circulation is used for cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the risk of corrosion and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dielectric oil as an intermediary cooling medium between the electrical components (transformer and shunt reactor) and the seawater environment. The oil provides thermal transfer from the components while the watertight housing prevents direct contact between seawater and the components, eliminating corrosion risk. This intermediary approach enables efficient cooling through seawater circulation while maintaining the integrity and reliability of the electrical equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the risk of seawater leakage, lowers installation and maintenance costs, and minimizes the size and weight of the device while effectively managing capacitive current and reactive power, enabling efficient subsea power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The watertight housing is filled with a dielectric oil. This provides for insulation and cooling of the transformer and the shunt reactor, as well as suppressing arcing in case of circuit breaking within the device.
Implementation Method 2
the watertight housing includes first and second compartments, wherein the subsea transformer is arranged in the first compartment and the subsea shunt reactor is arranged in the second compartment, the first and second compartments being fluidly interconnected, and surrounding seawater is allowed to circulate between the first and second compartments
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea AC power supply device comprises a subsea transformer, having a primary winding arranged to be connected to a topside AC power supply via a subsea power supply cable, and a subsea shunt reactor, connected in parallel with the primary winding of the subsea transformer. The subsea transformer and the subsea shunt reactor are arranged within a common subsea watertight housing. A subsea AC power supply system comprises a topside AC power supply, a subsea power supply cable connected to the topside AC power supply, and a subsea AC power supply device connected to the subsea power supply cable.