Numerical analysis for the dis tribution transformer design

400KVA급 배전 변 압기 열 유동해석

This paper describes the numerical simulations in the cooling of the radiator in a distribution transformer. The aim of this work is the cooling optimization of the transformer by CFD simulations. A clear understanding of the cooling pattern in a radiator which is a main heat remover in the power transformer is essential for optimizing the radiator design increasing the thermal efficiency. In this paper we study the heat transfer and fluid flow in a 3-phase 400kVA transformer. The plate radiators of this transformer become wrinkled (corrugated radiator) and there are filled with transformer oil. The oil is circulated due to the natural convection driven by buoyancy effects through radiators so that the ultimate cooling medium is the surrounding air. In the design of transformers, it is of interest to minimize the cost and size of radiators. The obtained results show the temperature and flow distributions and the possibility to optimize the transformer with 3-dimensional CFD models using FLUENT.