A New Methodology for Determining the Moisture Diffusion Coefficient of Transformer Solid Insulation

D. F. Garca
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Universidad del Valle Cali, Colombia diego.garcia@correounivalle.edu.co

B. Garca, J. C. Burgos and R. Villarroel

Electrical Engineering Department Carlos III University Legans (Madrid), Spain bgarciad@ing.uc3m.es, jcburgos@ing.uc3m, rvillar@ing.uc3m moisture concentration (% of the dry material weight) and x is the coordinate in the direction of the water movement.

AbstractIn this paper, a new methodology for determining the moisture diffusion coefficient of transformer solid insulation is presented. Unlike classical methodologies, the proposed one does not require to measure the evolution of the moisture distribution inside the material under test, but the overall moisture evolution is measured, which is easier to do from the experimental standpoint. In addition, the methodology includes an optimization process based on genetic algorithms, with an objective function that incorporates a moisture diffusion model solved by the finite element method. KeywordsCellulose insulations; coefficient; genetic algorithms moisture; diffusion

c c = D t x x

(1)

The main parameter of these mathematical models based on Ficks second law is the moisture diffusion coefficient. The accuracy of the simulation models estimations depends on the value of the moisture diffusion coefficient. The experimental determination of the moisture diffusion coefficient in cellulose insulation is a difficult task, mainly because of its dependence with moisture concentration. The experimental classical methodologies, used in solid materials, for determining the moisture diffusion coefficient, with dependence on moisture concentration, require measure the evolution of the moisture distribution inside the material under study by means of complicated experiments or by using sophisticated equipments like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or neutrons images (NI). In this work, is presented a methodology for determining the moisture diffusion coefficient of transformer solid insulation that is experimentally easier to implement than the classical ones, because only require to measure the overall moisture evolution of the material under test, during a drying process. The methodology includes, in addition to the drying experiments, an optimization process based on genetic algorithms. The proposed methodology was used in the determination of the moisture diffusion coefficient of Kraft-paper and pressboard insulations impregnated and non-impregnated by oil [2], [3]. The diffusion coefficients obtained with the proposed methodology allowed a better estimation of the moisture dynamics in cellulosic insulations. II.
TECHNIQUES USED FOR DETERMINING DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS OF SOLID MATERIALS

I.

INTRODUCTION

Moisture inside a transformer may mainly appear as a consequence of external contamination and because of a cellulosic insulation degradation process and also, to a lesser extent, by oil oxidation [1]. Due to the hydrophilic nature of cellulosic insulation, and hydrophobic nature of oil, moisture mainly remains in the solid insulation. However, the distribution of moisture between oil and the cellulosic insulation is not static, but depends on the transformer operating conditions, and mainly on the operation temperature. Moisture negatively affects the life expectancy of power transformers and can lead to hazardous conditions. To minimize the amount of water in the insulation of new transformers, they are subjected to a drying process in the factory, previous to the impregnation of the insulation with oil. Drying processes must be sometimes repeated during a transformers life to remove the moisture generated by the effect of aging and by contamination. These drying processes are usually performed in the field. Understanding and properly estimating the moisture dynamics in power transformer insulation is essential for improving the manufacturing process, operation and maintenance of these equipments. Moisture dynamics inside the cellulose insulation can be estimated using a mathematical model of diffusion based on Fick's second law, which for an unidirectional diffusion can take the form of (1), where D is the effective diffusion coefficient (m2 s-1), c is the local

All experimental methodologies used to estimate the diffusion coefficient of solid materials include three steps:

Perform an experiment that involves moisture dynamic inside the material under study. Simulate the experiment by means a mathematical model in which the diffusion coefficient is the main model parameter. Finding the diffusion coefficient value by successive fitting of the simulation results with respect to the experimental ones.

If the mathematical models are based in moisture flux, then they are expressed by means of an analytical expression and therefore can be solved by direct methods. On the other hand, if the mathematical models are based on moisture diffusion, they may be solved by the so-called approximation methods or by numerical methods. When the diffusion coefficient has dependence on moisture concentration, the diffusion model consists in a second order and non-linear partial derivate equation. The direct resolution method consists in approximating the diffusion model using an analytical expression, what can introduce a high uncertainty when the moisture diffusion coefficient is calculated. Therefore in this case it is advisable to solve the mathematical diffusion model using a numerical method. III. TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING D OF CELLULOSE
INSULATIONS USED BY OTHER AUTHORS

These three steps can be carried out by using different techniques. There are three main criteria by mean of which these techniques can be classified: The type of experiment performed. The basics of the mathematical model used. The method used to solving the mathematical model.

In Fig. 1 is shown a tree where the different techniques used for determining the moisture diffusion coefficients in solid materials are classified.

Several authors used some of the techniques shown in Fig. 1, to determine the moisture diffusion coefficient of cellulose materials [6-9]. In Table I, the techniques used by these authors are summarized.
TABLE I.
TECHNIQUES USED FOR DETERMINING D

Experimental methods for D

Type of experiment
Gravimetrics
Permeation

Mathematical basis
Moisture flux (Ficks first law) Moisture diffusion (Ficks second law)

Method of solution to the mathematical model

Direct Approximation Simplified Constant diffusivity Variable diffusivity Regular regime Numerical methods Finite differences Finite elements

Experiments type Concentration Gravimetrics profiles Dielectrometrics Dissection Author Karl-Fischer tritation Permeation

Basis of the mathematical model Ficks first law Ficks second law

Solution method Analytical approximation X X X X X

Steady state Time lag Adsorption and desorption kinetics Drying Drying tunnel TGA Moisture profiles Sectioning of the specimen Radiographic techniques Gamma rays Neutron images Nuclear magnetic resonance Chemical analysis Karl Fischer Dielectrometry sensors

Ast Guidi Howe and Asem Fossa Du Li

X X X X X

X X X X X X X X

a.

The detail of the experiments used for this author not is explained in his work.

Others: colors contrast, radioactive tracers, etc.

Fig. 1. Techniques used for determining the moisture diffusion coefficient in solid materials.

The experiments types can be gravimetric, where the moisture evolution is evaluated in overall form; or moisture profiles experiments, where is necessary determining the evolution on time of the moisture distribution inside the material under test. The first type is suitable in which case where D is independent of the moisture concentration while the second type is appropriate when it depends on moisture concentration. As to the basis of the mathematical model, the moisture flux o Ficks first law should be used only when the diffusion coefficient has not dependence on the moisture concentration. Otherwise should be use models based on Ficks second law.

Ast [6] used a simple experiment of permeation that allowed to quantify the moisture flux through a sheet of Kraft paper. For this reason he used a model based on Ficks first law, which was solved by direct form. However, this model does not represent appropriately the moisture dynamics in this kind of hygroscopic material. Additionally in his model, he assumed a linear distribution of moisture along the paper thickness which increases the uncertainty in determining the moisture diffusion coefficient. Because of the fact that the moisture diffusion coefficient of cellulose materials depends on moisture concentration, the mathematical models based on Ficks second law are more accurate, and therefore the others authors used this technique in their works. However this approach requires using some experiment aimed to determine the moisture profile of the tested sample material. This can make the experimental part,

Numerical approach

Direct

the more complex step in the determination of the moisture diffusion coefficient. As was shown in Table 1, the type of experiment more common for obtaining the moisture profiles consists in determining the local moisture content in some specific points inside the material under test, during drying or wetting processes. This may be done by dissection of the sample, and later by determination of the moisture concentration using the so-called Karl-Fischer chemical method. However, this technique is quite complicated and requires care enough to avoid having inaccurate determinations. The other type of experiment allowing to obtain the moisture profiles was the one employed by Du [8] that used an interdielectrometric sensor that related the moisture content with an electrical variable, in this case the complex capacitance. The problem of this type of technique is that the sensor requires a previous calibration to achieve a correct relation between the moisture content and the electrical variable. IV. METHODOLOGY PROPOSED FOR DETERMINING D IN
CELLULOSE INSULATIONS

Finally, to find the dependence of the moisture diffusion coefficient on temperature and insulation thickness is necessary to obtain the drying curves at different drying temperatures, and also over samples of different thickness.
6

Cm (%)

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Time (min)

Fig. 2. Drying curve of non-impregnated Kraft-paper insulation sample of 3 mm thick, drying at 60 C.

As was aforementioned, the classical approaches for determining of the moisture diffusion coefficient require to use a diffusion model based on Ficks second law, solved by a numerical method, and otherwise an experiment aimed to obtain the moisture profiles. These conditions can make more difficult to determine the moisture diffusion coefficient of cellulose insulations. The three steps of the proposed methodology to obtain the moisture diffusion coefficient are: Measuring the global moisture evolution, or average moisture concentration ( Cm ) of the test material sample during a drying process, i.e. to obtain the drying curve. Simulating the experiment by means of a diffusion model solved by the finite element method (FEM) in which the diffusion coefficient is the main parameter. Finding the diffusion coefficient value by using an optimization process based in genetic algorithms (GA).

As can be seen, the proposed experiments do not require to measure the evolution of the moisture distribution inside the material under test, but the overall moisture evolution is measured, which is easier to determine from the experimental point of view.

B. Simulating the experiment by the FEM drying model The second step of the proposed methodology consists in simulating the drying experiment by means of a FEM drying model.
In the FEM drying model the sample of the material under study is represented by means of a one-dimensional geometry, that is the thickness in the direction that the water is moving inside the sample during drying. Boundary conditions in the FEM model depend of the particular conditions of the experiment, although the most suitable can be the equilibrium moisture concentration in the interface between the insulation sample and the surrounding media. Finally the material is characterized by the moisture diffusion coefficient that can be represented by a general expression as the one shown in (2). In that expression k is a dimensionless factor and D0 is the pre-exponential factor in (m2s-1).

A. Determination of drying curves The drying curves, as shows Fig. 2, can be determined in different ways depending on the insulation type. When the insulation is non-impregnated by oil, the drying curve can be obtained by means of a gravimetric experiment, for example using a thermogravimetric analizer (TGA), which records the lost of mass of the wet insulation sample during an isothermal drying process.
In the case of impregnated cellulose insulations, the drying curve can be got by measuring the moisture concentration at different times during a drying experiment with the so-called hot-oil drying method. This method consists in circulating hot and dry oil, over the wet insulations samples.

D = D0 ek c

(2)

If the moisture diffusion coefficient has dependence on variables as the insulation temperature and thickness, this dependence should be include in the parameter D0 .

C. Optimization processs The last step of the proposed methodology is to determine the value of the moisture diffusion coefficient. This is carried

out by means of the optimization process based in the Genetic Algorithms which are illustrated in Fig. 3.

V.

CONCLUSIONS

The methodology proposed in this work, for determining the moisture diffusion coefficient of cellulose insulations is easier to implement than the classical approaches, because only requires to quantify the evolution of the global moisture desorption in the sample under test, instead of determining the moisture profiles, which is more complicated from the experimental point of view. The moisture diffusion coefficients determined by the proposed methodology are accurate enough because a model based on Ficks second law was used in their determination solved with a numerical technique based on the finite elements method. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This work has been supported by the Spanish Government by means of the projects DPI2009-07093 and DPI2012-35819.

REFERENCES
[1] Cigr Brochure 349. Moisture equilibrium and moisture migration within transformer insulation systems. Working Group A2. 30; Cigr 2008. D. F. Garca, B. Garca, J. C. Burgos and N. Garca-Hernando. Determination of moisture diffusion coefficient in transformer paper using thermogravimetric analysis. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 55(4), pp. 1066-1075. 2012. D. F. Garca, B. Garca and J.C. Burgos. Determination of Moisture Diffusion Coefficient for Oil-Impregnated Kraft-paper Insulation. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, unpublished. P. F. Ast, Movement of moisture through a50p281 kraft paper (dry and oil impregnated. General Electric, Test report HV-ER-66-41, 1966. W. W Guidi and H, P, Fullerton. Mathematical methods for prediction of moisture take-up and removal in large power transformers. Presented at Proceedings of IEEE Winter Power Meeting. 1974. A. S. Asem and A. F. Howe. Drying of power-transformer insulation. IEE Proceedings Generation, Transmission and Distribution [See also IEE Proceedings-Generation, Transmission and Distribution] 129(5), pp. 228-232. 1982. S. D. Foss and L. Savio. Mathematical and experimental analysis of the field drying of power transformer insulation. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. 8(4), pp. 1820-1828. 1993. Y. Du. Measurements and modeling of moisture diffusion processes in transformer insulation using interdigital dielectrometry sensors. Ph.D dissertation Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1999. J. Li, X. Chen, Z. Zhang, R. Liao and L. Yang. Characteristics of moisture diffusion in vegetable oil-paper insulation.Gaodianya Jishu/ High Voltage Engineering 36(6), pp. 1379-1384. 2010.

[2] Fig. 3. Flowchart of the optimization process.

The mentioned optimization process works as follows: 1. By means of genetic operations, the GA optimization function generates different pairs of parameters D0 and k . Each pair of D0 and k values is introduced into the FEM drying model obtaining from this, the Cm values of an estimated drying curve. The GA function compares the estimated drying curve with the experimental curve to determine if the obtained values of D0 and k are accurate. Otherwise, another pair is evaluated until the optimization process converges.

[3]

[4] [5]

2.

[6]

3.

[7]

[8]

Finally, the values of D0 and k obtained for each experimental drying curve are correlated with the drying temperature and sample thickness, and the mathematical expression of the moisture diffusion coefficient is obtained. The proposed methodology has been successfully applied to the determination of moisture diffusion coefficients of Krafpaper as can be seen in [2, 3].

[9]