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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_NGET0022
Title	Switch Oil Markers
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid Electricity Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 August 2022
End Date	31 May 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£95,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGET0022
Objectives	This feasibility project is aimed at reducing this uncertainty through use of an identification marker that can be used in diverter switch oil to make it easier to detect when acetylene-contaminated oil has migrated into the main or selector tanks through, for example, a leaking barrier board. Following an innovation call for solutions, two potential methods are to be explored whereby markers could be introduced into the divertor compartment. These markers can then be detected at low concentrations in either the main tank or selector as evidence that the acetylene has migrated from the diverted rather than being produced by a fault. One of the proposed markers is known to be stable and suitable for use in diverters, but methods for trace detection in transformer oil needs to be developedThe second proposed marker is known to be detectable at very low levels, but the suitability for use in electrical equipment has not yet been established.Data Quality Statement (DQS):The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with OFGEM, ENA and NGGT / NGET internal policy. Data produced as part of this project will be subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored on our internal Sharepoint platform ensuring access control, backup and version management. Relevant project documentation and reports will also be made available on the ENA Smarter Networks Portal and dissemination material will be shared with the relevant stakeholders. Measurement Quality Statement (MQS): The methodology used in this project will be subject to our suppliers own quality assurance regime. Quality assurance processes and the source of data, measurement processes and equipment as well as data processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant deliverables and final project report and will be made available for review.Risk AssessmentTRL Steps = 1Cost = 1Suppliers = 1Data Assumption = 1Assessed risk score 4 - Low The project will investigate two methods as part of a feasibility study into the introduction of an additive into a diverter switch compartment without having any negative impacts on its performance. The assumption being that if there is some migration of oil from the diverter switch to either the selector or main tank which results in acetylene being detected in those compartments it would be possible to then test for the additive as proof that this is the source of the acetylene.One workstream will investigate the ability to find synthetic ester in mineral oil at low concentrations. The addition of ester to the switch compartment will have no negative impact but there is a need to identify the best solution for reliably measuring its concentration at low levels in mineral insulating oil.A second workstream will investigate a tracer chemical that has been used in other industries and can be detected at low levels and determine whether this could be added to the diverter without affecting its performance.In the event that acetylene is picked up during routine dissolved gas analysis testing (DGA) the condition of a transformer is considered to be suspect. If the acetylene is confirmed and appears to be increasing the transformer could be considered at risk offailure and switched out. Further investigation will not easily identify that the acetylene has come from the diverter although this may be a consideration. Rather than engage in testing and internal inspections requiring outages and oil handling until the issue is resolved, application of the results of this research will enable the migration from the switch compartment to be confirmed one way or the other. The objective of the project is to develop and evaluate two alternative chemicals for use in a diverter that can be detected at low concentrations if they migrate with oil and acetylene into other transformer compartments. It will determine the best technique for measuring ester at low concentrations.It will determine whether there are tracer chemicals that can be used safely in a diverter switch.
Abstract	This project will support transformer reliability and condition assessment by identifying when fault gas migration from a switch compartment to another part of a power transformer has taken place. Eliminating this as an unambiguous source of fault gas in a transformer main tank or selector can be difficult while carrying out expensive and time-consuming fault-finding activities. The project will look at methods as part of a feasibility study.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/10/22