Numerical simulation and detection of dry-type air-core reactor temperature field based on laminar–turbulent model

Abstract

The hot-spot temperature of a dry-type air-core reactor is a crucial factor that determines the service life of the reactor. Although the environment elevation has a significant influence on the reactor’s heat dissipation performance and hot-spot temperature, studies seldom focus on the temperature distribution for different altitude scenarios. To this end, this paper proposes a temperature field simulation model with multi-parameter coupling constraints based on the laminar–turbulent flow state. The calculation of the temperature field with the hot-spot temperature at different altitudes is finally achieved. The simulation results show that the hot-spot is located at 6.3% from the top of the sixth encapsulated-winding. It also shows that the hot-spot temperature of the reactor increases by 5 K–11 K with the altitude ascending by 1 km. Moreover, the hot-spot temperature of the reactor exceeds the temperature index at an altitude of 3.25 km, which will result in a shortened service life. Fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors are embedded in encapsulated-windings to detect the temperature for verifying the validity of the temperature field model, which could provide critical temperature rise evaluation rules for the operation safety of the dry-type air-core reactor.

Thermal Simulation and Analysis of Dry-Type Air-Core Reactors Based on Multi-Physics Coupling

“…The magnetic field and temperature distribution patterns across the reactor body winding, as well as the upper and lower supports, is revealed in [15] using a mathematical approach that integrates reactor loss and the fluid-temperature field. A temperature field solution model that combines fluid flow and thermal effects is constructed in [16]. This model is based on a laminar-turbulent flow state and takes into account the influence of attitude and climate conditions.…”