Review of Research Progress on the Electrical Properties and Modification of Mineral Insulating Oils Used in Power Transformers

Xiaobo Wang, Chao Tang, Bo Huang, Jian Hao and George Chen
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Xiaobo Wang: College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Chao Tang: College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Bo Huang: School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
Jian Hao: Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
George Chen: School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-31

Abstract: In November 2017, the first ±1100 kV high-voltage direct-current power transformer in the world, which was made by Siemens in Nurnberg, passed its type test. Meanwhile, in early 2017, a ±1000 kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) substation was officially put into operation in Tianjin, China. These examples illustrate that the era of UHV power transmission is coming. With the rapid increase in power transmission voltage, the performance requirements for the insulation of power transformers are getting higher and higher. The traditional mineral oils used inside power transformers as insulating and cooling agents are thus facing a serious challenge to meet these requirements. In this review, the basic properties of traditional mineral insulating oil are first introduced. Then, the variation of electrical properties such as breakdown strength, permittivity, and conductivity during transformer operation and aging is summarized. Next, the modification of mineral insulating oil is investigated with a focus on the influence of nanoparticles on the electrical properties of nano-modified insulating oil. Recent studies on the performance of mineral oil at molecular and atomic levels by molecular dynamics simulations are then described. Finally, future research hotspots and notable research topics are discussed.

Keywords: mineral insulating oil; electrical properties; power transformer; molecular dynamics simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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