Computational fluid dynamics modelling of an entire synchronous generator for improved thermal management

Connor, Peter H.; Pickering, S.J.; Gerada, C.; Eastwick, Carol; Micallef, Christopher; Tighe, Chris

Abstract

This study is the first in a series dedicated to investigating the airflow and thermal management of electrical machines. Owing to the temperature dependent resistive losses in the machine's windings, any improvement in cooling provides a direct reduction in losses and an increase in efficiency. This study focuses on the airflow which is intrinsically linked to the thermal behaviour of the machine as well as the windage power consumed to drive the air through the machine. A full computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been used to analyse the airflow around all major components of the machine. Results have been experimentally validated and investigated. At synchronous speed the experimentally tested mass flow rate and windage torque were under predicted by 4% and 7%, respectively, by the CFD. A break-down of torque by component shows that the fan consumes approximately 87% of the windage torque.

Citation

Connor, P. H., Pickering, S., Gerada, C., Eastwick, C., Micallef, C., & Tighe, C. (2013). Computational fluid dynamics modelling of an entire synchronous generator for improved thermal management. IET Electric Power Applications, 7(3), https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-epa.2012.0278

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 26, 2012
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 29, 2016
• Journal: IET Electric Power Applications
• Print ISSN: 1751-8660
• Electronic ISSN: 1751-8679
• Publisher: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-epa.2012.0278
• Keywords: Generator, Airflow, Thermal, CFD, Efficiency
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/713172
• Publisher URL: http://digital-library.theiet.org/content/journals/10.1049/iet-epa.2012.0278
• Related Public URLs: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6520364
• Additional Information: This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in IET Electric Power Applications and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital Library.
• Contract Date: Jul 29, 2016