Performance of Thermoelectric Cooling System as an Alternative Transformer Cooling System

Abstract

Distribution transformers are cooled by different cooling systems according to the places in which they are used, and they are named oil-type and dry-type transformers according to this cooling type. In the cooling of oil-type transformers naphtanic and paraffinic oils, namely paraffin (wax)-containing insulating materials with high dielectric strength, called classical transformer oil, are used. Innovative approaches aiming to increase the degree of combustion and dielectric strength of these oils have been increasing in recent years. In these studies, higher quality oils such as ester-based oils have been used instead of conventional transformer oils, resulting in increased effects on the performance and life time of transformers. However, regardless of the characteristics of transformer oils, their features such as burning-explosive properties that cause environmental pollution and excess maintenance-repair costs create disadvantages in their use in transformer insulation. In this study conducted to eliminate such disadvantages, the oil-type transformers is cooled by using thermoelectric coolers, which are environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources. As a result of the study, it was determined that the thermoelectric cooling system provides 15-20% better cooling than naphtanic and ester based oil cooling types. It is considered that this will take place as a new technology and type in distribution transformer cooling systems.

Keywords

• Oil-type transformers
• Ester-based oils
• Naphtanic-based oils
• Thermoelectric cooler
• TEC
• Cooling systems.

Termoelektrik Soğutma Sisteminin Alternatif Transformatör Soğutma Sistemi Olarak Performansı

Öz

Dağıtım transformatörleri kullanıldıkları yerlere göre farklı soğutma sistemleri ile soğutulmakta olup, soğutma tipine göre yağlı tip ve kuru tip transformatörler olarak isimlendirilmektedir. Yağlı tip transformatörlerin soğutulmasında, klasik transformatör yağı olarak adlandırılan naftanik ve parafinik yağlar, yani parafin (mum) içerikli dielektriksel dayanımı yüksek yalıtım malzemeleri kullanılmaktadır. Bu yağların yanma dereceleri ve dielektriksel dayanımlarının arttırılmasını amaçlayan yenilikçi yaklaşımlar son yıllarda artmaktadır. Bu çalışmalarda, daha iyi özelliklere sahip ester bazlı yağlar, klasik transformatör yağlarının yerine kullanılarak transformatörlerin performansını ve faydalı ömrünü arttıran sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Ancak, transformatör yağlarının özellikleri ne kadar iyi olsa da, çevre kirliliği oluşturması, yanma-patlama özelliği, bakım-onarım maliyetleri, transformatör yalıtımında dezavantaj oluşturmaktadır. Bu dezavantajların giderilmesi için, bu çalışmada, çevre dostu ve yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarından olan termoelektrik soğutucular kullanılarak, yağlı tip transformatör soğutulmaktadır. Yapılan çalışma sonucunda termoelektrik soğutma sisteminin naftanik ve ester bazlı yağ soğutma tiplerine göre yaklaşık % 15-20 daha iyi soğutma sağladığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu soğutma sisteminin, transformatör soğutma sistemleri içerisinde yeni bir teknoloji ve tür olarak yer alacağı değerlendirilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yağlı tip transformatör
• Ester bazlı yağ
• Naftanik Yağ
• Termoelektrik soğutma
• TEC
• Soğutma sistemleri.

Kaynakça

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