Research project

Ageing Dynamics and Analysis of Power Transformers (ADAPT)

Project overview

The ADAPT project is primarily concerned with the development of improved ageing markers in oil, applicable for the assessment of power transformer health. There is an a priori assumption that for paper/oil insulation systems the ageing of primary insulation can be determined through analysis of by-products (furans) within the secondary insulation. This may be true for laboratory experiments where the number of potential variables is minimised, the thermal history of the insulation system is known, and the environment carefully controlled.
In terms of application in the field, this hypothesis is also compounded by results from forensic analysis on decommissioned units, which indicate that the degree of polymerisation of the paper (DP) is far higher than that predicted based on annual or regular measurements of furan concentration in the mineral oil.
Understanding the chemistry of furan formation, and degradation, is a prerequisite to successfully applying these compounds as reliable ageing markers to inform decision making.

Staff

Lead researchers

Professor Paul Lewin

Professor of Electrical Power Engineerin
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Other researchers

Dr Thomas Andritsch

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • High Voltage Engineering
  • Dielectric Materials and Nanodielectrics
  • HV Cable Systems
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Dr George Callender

Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Eng

Research interests

  • HV Cable Systems
  • FEA Simulations
  • Partial Discharge
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Dr Ian Hosier PhD

Research Fellow-High Voltage Plant

Research interests

  • Dielectric materials
  • Ageing
  • Morphology
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Professor Richard Brown

Professor of Organic Chemistry

Research interests

  • Organic synthesis
  • Total synthesis of natural products
  • Asymmetric synthesis
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Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs