Analyzing the Performance of Transformer Oil-Paper Insulation with Aging Using Numerical Simulation Technique – A Review

AbstractThe present article provides a comprehensive analysis of the aging phenomenon of transformer insulation and the corresponding changes in insulation performance that occur over time. The present manuscript outlines diverse insulating materials that are employed in transformers, the fundamental aging mechanism of the insulation, the function of space charges in the aging of the insulation, and various simulation methodologies utilized for diagnosing the insulation status of the transformer. The primary focus of this paper is to examine the various numerical techniques employed in modeling and analyzing the aging characteristics of transformer insulation. The mechanisms underlying the accumulation of charge and distortion of electric fields in insulation are explained through the utilization of numerical modeling techniques. This paper focuses on understanding the mechanism of insulation aging, thereby facilitating the optimization and maintenance of insulation performance throughout its operational lifespan.Keywords: Bipolar charge transport modelElectric fieldFinite element methodOil-paper insulationPlasma modelPower transformerSpace charges Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsNisha ThanuaNisha Thanua received her BTech and MTech degrees in electrical engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, in 2014 and 2017, respectively. Currently, she is a PhD candidate at the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Her research interests are transformer insulation aging, condition monitoring of transformers, multiphysics modeling, electrical insulation materials, computational electromagnetics, numerical techniques in electrostatics, and high-voltage engineering. Corresponding author. Email: nthanua@ee.iitr.ac.inGanesh B. KumbharGanesh B Kumbhar received the BE degree in electrical engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Karad, India, in 1999, the MTech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India, in 2002, and the PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India, in 2007. He was a postdoctoral research scholar with the Center for Energy System Research, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, USA.Hewas also with Eaton Technologies Pvt. Ltd., (Eaton Corporation), Pune, India; Tata Consultancy Services, Mumbai, India; and Crompton Greaves, Ltd., Mumbai, India. He is currently an associate professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India. His research interests include high-voltage engineering, electromagnetic design and analysis of power apparatus, computational electromagnetics, and coupled-field modeling and simulations. Email: ganesh.kumbhar@ee.iitr.ac.in