Gas-Insulated Transformer Cooling Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-insulated transformers face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat losses due to the low thermal performance of gases compared to liquids, especially when using insulation fluids with high Global Warming Potential like SF6, and when alternative fluoroketones are used, their limited cooling efficiency is exacerbated by higher condensation temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling element with a condenser and evaporator that immerses at least a part of the electrical component in a liquid cooling fluid, allowing direct heat transfer and utilizing the heat of evaporation for efficient cooling, which can be enhanced by creating turbulent flow within the cooling element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas insulation is used to eliminate fire risk, then safety is improved, but thermal performance deteriorates due to low gas density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transformer into two distinct functional zones: a gas-filled insulation space for electrical isolation and fire safety, and a liquid-filled cooling space for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each medium to perform its optimal function without compromise - gas provides safety while liquid provides thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat pipe as an intermediary thermal management device that bridges the electrical component and the liquid cooling medium. The heat pipe efficiently transfers heat from the winding to the liquid without direct contact between the electrical component and liquid, maintaining electrical insulation while enabling effective cooling.
2Reliability
If SF6 is used as insulation gas, then insulation performance is improved, but Global Warming Potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the insulation medium by replacing SF6 with alternative gases such as nitrogen or air, which have significantly lower Global Warming Potential while maintaining adequate insulation performance for the application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluoroketone is used as insulation fluid, then Global Warming Potential is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to higher condensation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid system into two separate functional fluids: fluoroketone serves as the insulation fluid in the gas phase, while a separate liquid cooling medium (such as water or coolant) handles the thermal management function, overcoming the limitation of fluoroketone's high condensation temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary device that enables efficient heat transfer from the electrical component to the liquid cooling medium without requiring the insulation fluid itself to have high cooling efficiency, thus allowing the use of environmentally friendly fluoroketone while maintaining effective cooling.
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 method achieves highly efficient heat dissipation by direct contact and phase transition, overcoming the limitations of conventional gas-insulated transformers and allowing for effective cooling even with organofluorine compounds, without requiring significant reconstruction of existing transformer designs.
Implementation Method 1
direct heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
phase transition
Implementation Method 3
heat of evaporation
Implementation Method 4
condenser
Implementation Method 5
creating turbulent flow within the cooling element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to gas-insulated electrical apparatuses, in particular gas-insulated transformers or reactors, comprising a housing enclosing an interior space, in which an electrical component comprising a winding is arranged, at least a portion of the interior space defining an insulation space which is filled with an insulation fluid electrically insulating at least a part of the electrical component from the housing. According to the invention, the electrical apparatus further comprises a cooling element comprising a condenser, an evaporator and a cooling fluid to be circulated between the condenser and the evaporator. The evaporator is designed such that at least a part of the electric component is immersed in the cooling fluid in its liquid state, thus being in direct contact with the cooling fluid.