Abstract
The operating temperature and the ampacity are important parameters to reflect the operating state of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) submarine high voltage (HV) cables, and it is of great significance to study the electrothermal coupling law of submarine cable under the seawater flow field. In this study, according to the actual laying conditions of the submarine cable, a multi-physical coupling model of submarine cable is established based on the electromagnetic field, heat transfer field, and fluid field by using the COMSOL finite element simulation software. This model can help to analyze how the temperature and ampacity of the submarine cable are affected by different laying methods, seawater velocity, seawater temperature, laying depth, and soil thermal conductivity. The experimental results show that the pipe laying method can lead to the highest cable conductor temperature, even exceeding the maximum heat-resistant operating temperature of the insulation, and the corresponding ampacity is minimum, so heat dissipation is required. Besides, the conductor temperature and the submarine cable ampacity have a linear relationship with the seawater temperature, and small seawater velocity can significantly improve the submarine cable ampacity. Temperature correction coefficients and ampacity correction coefficients for steady-state seawater are proposed. Furthermore, the laying depth and soil thermal conductivity have great impact on the temperature field and the ampacity of submarine cable, so measures (e.g., artificial backfilling) in areas with low thermal conductivity are needed to improve the submarine cable ampacity.
Highlights
In recent years, with the change of energy use and the development of the power grid, the submarine cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable has been increasingly used [1,2]
In the iterative calculation, when the calculated temperature difference ∆θc (I ) is less than 0.01 ◦ C, the cable conductor temperature is considered to be stable at the maximum allowable temperature, and the submarine cable ampacity is the load of the cable
The 220 kV three-core AC submarine high voltage (HV) cable is the research object, and a multi-physical coupling model is established that is based on the electromagnetic field, fluid field, and heat transfer field
Summary
With the change of energy use and the development of the power grid, the submarine cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable has been increasingly used [1,2]. The finite element method that is based on COMSOL can simulate actual working conditions and perform the coupling calculation of multiple physical fields. It has become the main research method for analyzing the temperature and ampacity of cable in recent years [19]. Based on the research that analyzed the boundary problem in the coupling of multiple physical fields with the electromagnetic-thermal model of underground three-phase power cables, calculating the cable temperature with the finite element method can cover the shortage of IEC standard [17]. The influence of different laying methods, seawater temperature, seawater velocity, laying depth, and soil thermal conductivity on the temperature distribution and the ampacity of submarine cables is investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
