On-Site Non-Intrusive Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Tester

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
SP Energy Networks

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 October 2021

31 May 2023

ENA months

£785,534

Power

Scotland

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SP Energy Networks

Project Contact, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Project Contact, Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited
Project Contact, South Eastern Power Networks plc
Project Contact, Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Project Contact, SPEN - SP Distribution Plc
Project Contact, ScottishPower Manweb plc
Project Contact, Eastern Power Networks plc

The transformer oil is a mixture of thousands of constituents mainly saturated hydrocarbons, their degradation products which are oxygenated analogues and degradation products of the solid insulation which themselves are also hydrocarbons and their oxygenated and sulphur analogues. Chlorinated hydrocarbons are only present if PCBs are present in the oil. We are therefore proposing to target chlorine concentration measurement remotely based on radionuclide decay (electron capture mode) using gamma ray detection.The proposed solution is intended to be a non-intrusive method of determining the PCB levels in the field without the need to return samples to the laboratory. The method does not require obtaining an oil sample from the asset or any interference with the fabric of the asset. Furthermore, as radioactive nuclei are of a natural existence, no additional radioactivity is introduced above the already naturally occurring levels in the methodology described. This project will cover:• Equipment sourcing• Theoretical undertakings and equipment calibration• Algorithm verification and laboratory trials• Field trials and training Development of an on-site non-intrusive PCB tester based on radionuclide decay using gamma ray detection

This project will develop a non-intrusive testing device which can be used on-site to determine whether PCBs are present in transformer oil.

14/10/22