Research and development of a low-noise power transformer with loop heat pipe cooling system

Decades of experience in urban underground substations indicated that the traditional cooling technologies have various disadvantages. Therefore, a novel loop heat pipe (LHP) cooling system was developed and applied in a power transformer. This cooling system is self-circulated, without needing additional pump or fans installed in transformer. At first, a 2.5kW experimental model is fabricated and tested, indicating that the new cooling technology fulfills the requirements of power transformer. Then a 6300kVA/35kV prototype transformer was manufactured and had been put into operation in an urban substation for three years, showing in good performance and excellent cooling effect in actual running. Therefore it is verified that the transformer LHP cooling system could solve the problems of cooling and noise nuisance simultaneously, and fulfill the requirements of modern urban substation.