High-voltage compressed-gas power transformers

Abstract

IN a previous article, <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sup> the author pointed cut the many advantages of high-voltage power transmission in compressed gas. Compressed CO <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> at the moderate pressure of 40 atmospheres (absolute) has a dielectric strength about 20 times as high as that of air at normal atmospheric pressure, and compressed SO <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> at 40 atmospheres about 30 times as high, so that the line conductors need be separated by only a few inches instead of the customary many feet and may, therefore, be enclosed in a reasonably small pipe line. This system offers opportunities for many important cumulative economies in the terminal equipment also, and this paper is devoted to their discussion. It is shown that the use of compressed gas, instead of oil, as the insulating and cooling fluid makes possible power transformers that are only about one fourth as large as the present ones for the same duty, are for all intents and purposes nonaging, and are highly resistant to damage from internal are-overs, besides many other advantages.