The Chair has at its disposal unique state-of-the-art research facilities installed in the Parc Technologique des Sciences Appliquées at the University of Québec in Chicoutimi (UQAC). Several major pieces of equipment were acquired with the aid of grants within the framework of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), projects, with financial support from the Quebec Government and UQAC. The most important ones are:
All
Karl Fischer Coulometer
Spectrophotometer UV-VIS (ASTM D-6802)
Sonicator
Particle counter
Viscosity Bath
Number of neutralization (ASTM D-974)
Interfacial and surface tensiometer (ASTM D-971)
FRAX-101 Frequency response analysis (SFRA)
Gas Chromatograph (GC) (ASTM-D-3612)
Partial discharge measuring device
Portable Gas Chromatograph (GC) (ASTM D-3612)
Multifunctional High Voltage Source
FTIR Spectrometer
Dielectric Spectrometer: Alpha-A High Performance Frequency Analyzer
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage (ASTM D-877) et (ASTM D-1816)
Electrical Field Stability (ASTM D-6180)
Turbidity ASTM D-6182
IDA200
Karl Fischer Coulometer
Moisture measurement in solid and liquid samples.
Humidity is recognized as the number one enemy of transformers. Its presence in the fluid constitutes one of the most important causes of degradation of the dielectric properties. It is measured using an automatic “Karl Fischer Coulometer” humidity titrator.
Spectrophotometer UV-VIS (ASTM D-6802)
Relative measurement of dissolved degradation products.
The relative content of decomposition products formed mainly from peroxides, aldehydes, ketones and organic acids dissolved in the insulating oil is measured by the UV-VIS Spectrophotometer. This measurement can be used as an indicator of the aging of the insulation of the complex (paper, oil).
Sonicator
This device is used to mix liquid products at the nanometric scale.
Particle counter
This device is used to count micrometric particles.
Viscosity Bath
This device measures the viscosity of fluids as a function of temperature. It also makes it possible to measure the degree of depolymerization (DPv).
Degree of Polymerization of Solid Insulation DPv [D-4243]
The DPv allows to know the state of health of the paper, it is determined directly by using the method D-4243 of ASTM. Since in many situations this procedure is impractical because it requires opening the transformer to take a paper sample. An alternative method is furan analysis.
Number of neutralization (ASTM D-974)
The neutralization number (NN) or acidity of the insulating fluid mainly increases as the oil oxidizes. NN is measured in mg KOH/g. NN measurement allows the monitoring of the oil oxidation process. The higher the NN value, the greater the extent of oxidation and the sooner soluble and colloidal products will form.
Interfacial and surface tensiometer (ASTM D-971)
This device makes it possible to quantify the degradation of the insulating oil.
Interfacial tension measures the presence of polar compounds. It is reported in dynes/cm. For fluids in service, a decrease in this value indicates an increase in the concentration of contaminants, including oxidation by-products.
FRAX-101 Frequency response analysis (SFRA)
Measurement of deformation and movement of windings, short-circuits between turns, etc.
Frequency response analyzers can detect all deformations and physical defects in equipment such as transformers, rotating machines, cables. The FRAX 101 Sweep Frequency Response Analyzer (SFRA) detects potential mechanical and electrical problems that other methods are unable to detect.
Gas Chromatograph (GC) (ASTM-D-3612)
Measures dissolved gases (DGA) in oil.
Dissolved gas analysis can detect certain defects such as:
Partial discharges, low energy electrical discharge, overheating and high energy electrical discharge. Thus data from this analysis can provide warning of incipient faults, inappropriate determination of unit usage, status checks on new and repaired units, means of properly scheduling repairs and fault detection during the period of guarantee.
Partial discharge measuring device
This device measures partial discharges. The recovery tension method is based on fundamentally established notions: the phenomenon of the polarization of the oil/paper complex.
This non-destructive technique makes it possible to appreciate the influence of humidity and aging.
Portable Gas Chromatograph (GC) (ASTM D-3612)
Measures dissolved gases (DGA) in oil.
Apparatus Transport X2 is a portable gas chromatograph.
This device allows the analysis of dissolved gases, the most significant of which are: H, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, CO, CO2 and C2H8.
Multifunctional High Voltage Source
A source capable of generating all types of voltage (AC, DC and pulses) up to 100 kV, the transformer is exempt from partial discharges (< 2pC).
(Manufacturer: Samgor Technology)
FTIR Spectrometer
Apparatus used for spectral analyzes of chemical groups.
Dielectric Spectrometer: Alpha-A High Performance Frequency Analyzer
Capacitance and loss measurement of dielectrics at very low frequencies.
This device, equipped with a cooling chamber that can go down to -50°C, allows the measurement of dielectric properties (3 μHz to 20 MHz).
Alpha-A High Performance Frequency Analyzer uses dielectric spectroscopy, a method that has been available for decades in laboratories.
It measures the insulation inside the transformer in a frequency range that helps differentiate between problems related to conductivity, moisture, and oil contamination.
Thermal conductivity
This device measures thermal conductivity.
Thermal conductivity accessory (thermal chamber)
Allows you to control the temperature.
The Thermal Conductivity of the oil characterizes its ability to transfer heat. In the case of the transformer, the oil is responsible for carrying the heat from the windings to the radiators. The higher the thermal conductivity, the more heat is easily removed.
Thermal conductivity
This device measures thermal conductivity.
Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) (D-5837)
Measurement of furan products in liquid medium (oil).
Cellulose breakdown releases glucose molecules into the oil. Glucose, being unstable, is converted into furan, a stable and oil-soluble molecule. Thus, the presence of furan compounds indicates the degradation of the paper.
This test simulates the conditions of accelerated thermal aging of the oil in the presence of oxygen and a metal catalyst for a duration of 72 hours and 164 hours.At the end of the test, the acidity and the content of colloidal products of the aged oil is measured.Oxidation stability is considered the ultimate resistance test of an oil.
Dielectric Breakdown Voltage (ASTM D-877) et (ASTM D-1816)
The dielectric breakdown voltage represents the voltage at which an insulating fluid becomes a conductor. It is reported in kilovolts. The presence of contaminants, moisture and particulates, including oxidation products, reduce the dielectric breakdown voltage.
1) Method D-877 is recommended for routine acceptance of new oil, untreated oil from a supplier, and for evaluating oil quality in service. It uses flat cylindrical electrodes.
2) Method D-1816 is the preferred method for testing a fluid that is being processed in a device or contained in a new device. This method uses VDE spherical electrodes.
Electrical Field Stability (ASTM D-6180)
This test evaluates the stability of new oil, in service and treated, under the influence of an electric discharge by an increase in the power factor and the pressure.
During this test, the insulating oil in a evacuated cell is subjected to a high voltage discharge. The discharge produces free electrons which collide with the oil molecules exciting many of them electronically. Some of these molecules form gases which increase the pressure in the cell, while some molecules break down into charge carriers which shows an increase in power factor. These changes provide an indication of oil stability under simulated discharge conditions.
Turbidity ASTM D-6182
This method measures the purity of a new oil, in service or treated. It is a very sensitive test capable of measuring the quantity of insoluble deposits, suspended solids and wax, at the first moments of the deterioration of the insulating mineral oil. The results are expressed in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).
IDA200
Measurement of dielectric properties as a function of frequency (0.1 mHz to 1 kHz).
The IDA 200 Program measures capacitance and dielectric losses at discrete frequencies above and below the mains frequency. IDA-200 uses dielectric spectroscopy, a method that has been available for decades in laboratories. This instrument measures the insulation inside the transformer in a frequency range of 0.1 mHz to 1 kHz, which helps differentiate conductivity related issues.
Laboratory essentials include multimeters, oscilloscopes, turbidimeter, convection ovens, vacuum ovens, peristaltic pump, chemical cabinets, various glassware and syringes, colorimeter, computers and data acquisition systems, an RLC-meter, an insulation tester, two Keithley 6514 and 6485 electrometers, heating plates, pressure gauges, heating/cooling circulation baths, desiccators, centrifuge, etc.
The research team has also designed and manufactured several specific pieces of equipment (Polarization/Depolarization current analyzer or PDC-Analyzer, degassing and dehydration unit, stability tester under thermal stress, static electrification tester, data acquisition under LabView, etc.).
The team also has the opportunity to benefit from access to various resources available at UQAC. Indeed, additional equipment is available at the high-voltage laboratory of the International Center for Research on Atmospheric Icing and Power Network Engineering (CENGIVRE), one of the largest in importance at the level of Canadian universities, as well as in other laboratories/research centers, for example:
The research team has access to following equipment, but not limited to: 800 kV @ 60 kJ pulse generator, 100 to 350 kV alternating current transformers, 300 kV direct current voltage source, climatic chambers capable of reproducing ambient climatic conditions, a 4000 A AC current generator, modular impulse system up to 200 kV, lightning impulse generator: infrared camera, UV camera: CoroCam IV, Ultra high speed image/image camera: Imacon 200, etc.
The substantial test resources make it possible to carry out studies on a scale representative of industrial electrical equipment. The specially equipped high-voltage climatic chambers also make it possible to study the behaviour of insulation at low temperatures and in the face of significant temperature variations.
