Original scientific paper

Innovative solution to diagnosis and prognosis of defects and failures in cast-resin transformers for sustainable assets and risk management

Carlo Maria Roggero
Vander Tumiatti
Michela Tumiatti

Abstract

Cast-resin transformers represent a small but significant and growing portion of the overall transformer market. They are employed in power distribution and in scenarios where a very low fire risk is mandatory. Evaluating operating conditions and estimating the residual life of transformers helps to provide sustainable solutions for Life Cycle Management (LCM) of electric service, loss prevention, and environmental protection. It follows that on-site and on-line measurement and assessment are particularly important to anticipate potential service interruptions, identify accumulated degradation, and schedule maintenance. Such monitoring activity was performed using a diagnostic and prognostic system that provided information on conditions (pathologies) of cast-resin machines because of several physicochemical properties. The study dates back to 2014, but research is still in progress. The results here presented refer to an innovative device designed, developed, and patented in 2018 (TRL 4-6) as the central component of the system. Data and information about VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and ozone formation (Resin Overheating and Corona Discharge), anomalous vibration insurgence (Mechanical Defect or Failures), and superficial temperature (Overheating and Overload) have been collected since 2017. The aforementioned device could sample surrounding air and trap organic molecules in specific cartridges to be analyzed by mass spectrometry. Two private companies (Power and Steel plants) offered to install devices on-site for validation. The acquired information was put through data analysis and interpretation processes through an Artificial Generative Intelligence (AGI) to spot anomalies and obtain trends and forecasting models. Research activities are still ongoing and moving towards an actual industrial application (TRL 9), which is forecasted to take place in 2024.

Keywords

diagnostics; monitoring system; dry-type cast-resin transformers; measurements; sensors

Hrčak ID:

315842

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/315842

Publication date:

8.4.2024.

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