A new apparatus for mitigating the hot spot problem in large power transformers using Ants algorithm

Hot spot temperature (HST) is the most important parameter in the operation of power transformers. The HST has to be held under a prescribed limit. HST has a considerable effect on the insulation aging. Therefore detecting, monitoring and removing the HST could be a very important and necessary action for Utilities. A new design of oil spraying and its effect, along with a thermal management in a transformer cooling system has been studied in this paper. The effect of oil fluid flow on the HST problem has been considered in this paper; and the calculations and simulation have been performed by Ants algorithm. The simulation results have been validated based on a 230/63/20 kV, 250MVA transformer at the Sari substation in Iran, and the results indicate that the new design could mitigate the limitations of transformer loading due to the HST problem. The Ants algorithm have been proposed and applied for accomplishing this task and to give an improved level of accuracy.