Investigation of alternative paper ageing indicators for power transformers

Institution: University of Manchester

Dept/School/Faculty: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Power Networks

PhD Supervisor: Dr Q Liu

Application Deadline: Applications accepted all year round

Funding Availability: Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

Student background required: 

Suitable candidates are expected to have first degree and/or MSc/MPhil degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science. 

Benefit to / Impact on Industry: 
The outputs of the research will improve the current practise of ageing assessment of power transformers, which is critically important considering the large fleet of ageing assets in the power network. 

What novelty will the student base their PhD on? 
Novelty comes from the development of new alternative paper ageing indicator, including the measurement procedure and data interpretation. 

Project overview: 
Power transformers play an important role in a power system network, and they are also one of the most expensive equipment in substations in terms of capital cost. Nowadays, a large proportion of transformers in operation are in the age beyond their designed lifetime, and this requires better ageing assessment of the transformer in order to maintain the equipment and system reliability. 

The lifetime of a transformer depends on the mechanical strength of paper insulation, which is normally measured through Tensile Strength (TS) or Degree of Polymerization (DP). These measurements require the paper sample itself, which is impossible to be sampled for an in-service transformer. Therefore it was proposed to seek for paper indicators in oil. Measurement of Furanic compounds is one of the established methods. 

This project is aimed to investigate alternative paper ageing indicators like low molecular weight acid and methanol in oils. The research output will contribute to transformer ageing assessment and asset management field. 

Outline Proposed Project Plan: 
Year 1: Taught courses and preparatory study 
Year 2: Literature review on the transformer ageing assessment and establish the detection method for alternative paper ageing indicators. 
Year 3: Laboratory based accelerated oil-paper ageing tests to understand the generation, stability and partitioning characteristics of the new ageing indicators. 
Year 4: The established method will be applied to service aged oil samples to verify the suitability of alternative paper ageing indicators. PhD thesis writing up and final defensive viva. 

Funding Notes:

This project is funded by EPSRC, the University of Manchester and our Industry partners. Funding is available to UK candidates. EU candidates are also eligible if they have been studying or working continuously in the UK for three or more years (prior to the start date of the programme). The successful candidates will have their fees paid in full and will receive an enhanced maintenance stipend. 

See here for information on how to apply and entry requirements: www.power-networks-cdt.manchester.ac.uk/study/projects-apply