A Study on Structural Safety Evaluation Technology for Separately Assembled Radiators With a Transformer

Abstract In transformers, radiators are heat exchangers which are used to maximize heat dissipation from the transformer oil to the external cooling medium. Radiators are usually installed on transformers in two ways. The first way is mounting directly to the transformer tank wall. The second way is installing separately from the transformer. It is called the separate radiators assembly. In this paper, equations were derived in order to select the optimal length of base plates of a separate radiators assembly to prevent rollover. Additionally, wind forces were calculated based on the SBC (Saudi Building Code) standard that has the most structurally harsh conditions. Power transformers and separate radiators assemblies are installed primarily in open, flat areas with no other buildings nearby. Therefore, they should be evaluated for structural safety against wind loads from the surrounding area. Then, analysis based on numerical method of real separate radiators assembly were conducted to verify structural safety. As a result, the optimal length of base plates of a separate radiators assembly and the design improvement of a separate radiators assembly considering their allowable stress was derived to secure the structural safety again the wind force. Through this process, the evaluation technology suggested in this paper was validated.