Fault current limiting HTS transformer with extended fault withstand time

Abstract

We describe the design, construction, and testing of a proof-of-principle 45 kVA, 450/450 V, single phase superconducting transformer with fault tolerant capability. This small-scale transformer demonstrates extended short circuit withstand time as a result of the high thermal mass of the windings as well as improved recovery under load due to the high heat transfer achieved in subcooled liquid nitrogen with wire coated to optimise boiling heat transfer. Primary and secondary windings consist of 38-turn single layer solenoids wound in helical trenches milled in glass-reinforced epoxy formers. The thermal mass of the 0.4 mm thick brass-laminated conductor provides for adiabatic fault withstand times over 1 s, allowing greater flexibility in the design of protection systems required to isolate faults. Enhanced heat transfer from the windings to the liquid nitrogen coolant allows the transformer to recover from the short circuit event, cooling from around 300 K to return to the superconducting state even while current close to the rated current continues to flow. Two factors contribute to the high heat transfer. Firstly the HTS transformer operates in subcooled liquid nitrogen, at 65 K–66 K at atmospheric pressure, significantly increasing the heat transfer compared to operation at saturated vapour pressure. Secondly, the HTS conductor is coated with solid polymer insulation with optimised thickness, which allows efficient cooling by nucleate boiling to take place over an extended range of conductor temperature.