Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach

When the inlet flow velocity in the disc-type winding region of an oil-immersed transformer operates within a high Reynolds number range, it leads to an uneven distribution of oil flow. This phenomenon results in the abnormal occurrence of reverse oil flow in the bottom oil ducts, causing the hotspo...

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Main Authors: Lujia Wang, Jianghao Qi, Yifan Chen, Lebin Zhang, Jianwen Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1593
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author Lujia Wang
Jianghao Qi
Yifan Chen
Lebin Zhang
Jianwen Zhang
author_facet Lujia Wang
Jianghao Qi
Yifan Chen
Lebin Zhang
Jianwen Zhang
author_sort Lujia Wang
collection DOAJ
description When the inlet flow velocity in the disc-type winding region of an oil-immersed transformer operates within a high Reynolds number range, it leads to an uneven distribution of oil flow. This phenomenon results in the abnormal occurrence of reverse oil flow in the bottom oil ducts, causing the hotspot temperature to rise instead of decrease. To address this issue, a three-node flow resistance module was introduced at the intersection of T-shaped oil ducts based on the flow paths of oil in the main and branch ducts within the disc-type winding region. A flow network model for the transformer winding region was subsequently constructed. The accuracy of the model was validated through CFD simulations and experiments conducted on a transformer winding region test platform, with a maximum relative error of 4.02%. The model successfully predicted the flow distribution of the cooling oil within the winding region. Furthermore, by considering the structural characteristics of the winding region and the principles of heat transfer, particular attention was given to variations in local Nusselt number correlations. This led to the development of a thermal network model tailored to the winding region experiencing reverse oil flow. Comparative analysis of the model’s calculation results yielded a maximum relative error of only 1.12%, demonstrating its ability to rapidly and accurately elucidate the reverse oil flow effect. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the identification and mitigation of reverse oil flow in future applications.
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-401620750f0e4e23875e0862f97e14242025-08-20T03:06:20ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187159310.3390/en18071593Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network ApproachLujia Wang0Jianghao Qi1Yifan Chen2Lebin Zhang3Jianwen Zhang4School of Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaWhen the inlet flow velocity in the disc-type winding region of an oil-immersed transformer operates within a high Reynolds number range, it leads to an uneven distribution of oil flow. This phenomenon results in the abnormal occurrence of reverse oil flow in the bottom oil ducts, causing the hotspot temperature to rise instead of decrease. To address this issue, a three-node flow resistance module was introduced at the intersection of T-shaped oil ducts based on the flow paths of oil in the main and branch ducts within the disc-type winding region. A flow network model for the transformer winding region was subsequently constructed. The accuracy of the model was validated through CFD simulations and experiments conducted on a transformer winding region test platform, with a maximum relative error of 4.02%. The model successfully predicted the flow distribution of the cooling oil within the winding region. Furthermore, by considering the structural characteristics of the winding region and the principles of heat transfer, particular attention was given to variations in local Nusselt number correlations. This led to the development of a thermal network model tailored to the winding region experiencing reverse oil flow. Comparative analysis of the model’s calculation results yielded a maximum relative error of only 1.12%, demonstrating its ability to rapidly and accurately elucidate the reverse oil flow effect. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the identification and mitigation of reverse oil flow in future applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1593pancake transformer windingreverse oil flowflow network modelthermal network model
spellingShingle Lujia Wang
Jianghao Qi
Yifan Chen
Lebin Zhang
Jianwen Zhang
Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
Energies
pancake transformer winding
reverse oil flow
flow network model
thermal network model
title Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
title_full Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
title_fullStr Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
title_full_unstemmed Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
title_short Reverse Oil Flow Characterization in Transformer Windings: A Fluid-Thermal Network Approach
title_sort reverse oil flow characterization in transformer windings a fluid thermal network approach
topic pancake transformer winding
reverse oil flow
flow network model
thermal network model
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1593
work_keys_str_mv AT lujiawang reverseoilflowcharacterizationintransformerwindingsafluidthermalnetworkapproach
AT jianghaoqi reverseoilflowcharacterizationintransformerwindingsafluidthermalnetworkapproach
AT yifanchen reverseoilflowcharacterizationintransformerwindingsafluidthermalnetworkapproach
AT lebinzhang reverseoilflowcharacterizationintransformerwindingsafluidthermalnetworkapproach
AT jianwenzhang reverseoilflowcharacterizationintransformerwindingsafluidthermalnetworkapproach