Hydro-generator Cooling Analysis
Objective:
Depending upon rating and design, a hydro-generator stator core and windings may be cooled by air, oil, hydrogen or water. For direct cooled generators, the coolant is in direct contact with the heat producing members such as the stator winding. For any generator, a failure of the cooling system can result in rapid deterioration of the stator core lamination insulation and/or stator winding conductors and insulation. A manufacturer needed to optimize the gap between fan blade-baffle and fan blade-air guide and parameterize the ventilation system of hydro generator for different blade configurations.
Methodology:
3.6° segment was considered for the analysis. A Parametric 3 Dimensional CFD analysis was carried out for different gaps and flow rates. Flow was considered steady and incompressible. It was observed that 8mm gap between fan blade-air guide was found optimum at all flow rates. Flow reversal was observed at larger gaps.
This optimum cooling increased the efficiency of the generator.
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Case Studies