Abstract

This paper presents the results of numerical modeling of temperature distribution and flow pattern in a block radiator used in power transformer cooling system. Each block radiator consists of eighteen plane radiators which are parallel together and a typical power transformer (like a 30MVA) has 6 radiator blocks in each side which means it has 12 blocks totally. The numerical study using fluent software has been conducted to find the explanation of low cooling efficiency in this especial power transformer currently used in industry. Our main desire is the study of relation between radiator block characteristics and cooling behavior of system which can be used for its optimization in the future studies. The results indicate that recirculation occurs whenever pressure increase at the end of a radiator block that consequently prevents the enough oil flow through the last radiator of block. Experimental data taken from company and technical data extracted from transformer documents have been used for model calibration and results verification.

Recommended Citation

Nabati, Hamid; Mahmoudi, Jafar; and Ehteram, Ali (2009) "Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Analysis of Power Transformer's Cooling System Using CFD Approach," Chemical Product and Process Modeling: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1, Article 43.
DOI: 10.2202/1934-2659.1428
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/cppm/vol4/iss1/43