Development of digital twin model of underground electric cable: thermal part of the problem

Abstract

Innovative technologies of generative design using the concept of digital twins of the designed objects play an important role in growing digitalization trend of project activities. The digital twin of an object is the object simulation model with high accuracy of mathematical description. It is used to solve the problems of regime and structural optimization of the object. Usually, generative design technologies are implemented using 3D models of physical fields. And specialized packages which have high requirements for computer resources and user skills are used. At the same time, quite often the object for which the digital twin model is developed consists of several subsystems that allow relatively independent modeling. A one-dimensional model of the thermal process cannot provide the required accuracy, but a 2D-model is quite sufficient for this purpose. The development of such a model that combines the required accuracy, and low cost of machine time is currently topical scientific and practical problem. The method of mathematical modeling is used to solve this problem. The model uses the mathematical apparatus of the Markov chain theory. The model is two-dimensional and is adapted to the multi-layer environment representing the soil, in a separate cell of which a non-stationary heat source may be found. Heat passage through the surrounding soil is described in terms of thermal conductivity, and the heat exchange with the environment is described in terms of heat transfer. The influence of the parameters on the process flow is studied by numerical methods. At this stage of the study, experimental verification of the model is not expected. A mathematical two-dimensional model of digital twin of underground electric cable has been developed. It allows us to predict the cable temperature and its distribution in the surrounding soil. The assessment of thermal state of the power transmission line is given according to the power and the depth of the heat source location. It is found that the results of simulation modeling are consistent with the physical concepts of the process. The results obtained are of scientific novelty, since they are based on a universal modeling algorithm and allow us to describe the transients in the object under study, which is a part of the digital twin of the underground cable. The model is easy to use and requires little machine time. It can be easily used in generative design practice.