Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics

Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2019, pp. 753~760

ISSN: 2302-9285, DOI: 10.11591/eei.v8i3.1602  753

Top oil heat distribution pattern of ONAN corn oil based

transformer with presence of hot spot study using FEMM

M. A. Husin1, N. A. Othman2, N. A. Muhammad3, H. Kamarden4, M. S. Kamarudin5

1,2,5
Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Batu Pahat, Malaysia
3
School of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM),
14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
4
School of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM),
81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: Transformer thermal modelling is a crucial aspect to be considered as this
may help the determination of heat capacity of transformer. This paper
Received Dec 28, 2018 present, simulation study on Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN) transformer
Revised Mar 9, 2019 heat distribution pattern with and without presence of hot spot temperature
Accepted Mar 29, 2019 (HST). This paper aims to compare the effects of different HST value at
different locations inside the transformer unit as well as to evaluate the top
oil thermal behaviour of corn oil as cooling mechanism in a transformer. To
Keywords: achieve aforementioned objectives, three HSTs were introduced to the 30
MVA transformer winding to find the total heat build-up in the top of the
FEMM software transformer tank. The outcome of thermal properties is examined using x-y
Heat distribution temperature plot. From the results found that the location of HST affects
Hot spot temperature overall transformer’s temperature. HST at the top of the winding give a
Vegetable oil significant effect compared to when HST is at the bottom of the winding. It is
also evident that the usage of corn oil reduced the temperature distribution of
the transformer. The findings suggest that the temperature distribution study
especially on transformer is important to monitor in-service transformer in a
non-invasive manner.
Copyright © 2019 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science.
All rights reserved.

Corresponding Author:
Nordiana Azlin binti Othman,
Department of Electrical Power Engineering,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM),
86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
Power transformers can be considered as an important part of the electrical power system. Thus, it is
very essential for power transformers to be operated within the safe limit so that a safe and reliable power
system operation can be obtained. It is well known that one problem in large rating transformer is heat
dissipation [1-3]. The heat generated inside the transformer without being dissipated may eventually reduce
the life of transformers. The insulating oil that circulates inside transformer may absorb the heat from the
transformer interior through conduction process [3]. This heat is dissipated into the ambient through natural
means or by cooling devices using proper coolant [4]. However, there are areas inside a transformer where
the heat might not have dissipated properly. Thus, this condition may lead to the heat being accumulated
which after some period of time such heat accumulation may result in high temperature and eventually may
reduce the life of the transformer radically [5, 6].
Generally, there are many losses which can contribute to heat generation [4, 7]. If the heat is uneven
and is not dissipated properly, it may reduce the lifetime and effectiveness of the transformer. Yet, right

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754  ISSN: 2302-9285

temperature determination in transformer winding is desired, and the locations of hot spot temperature (HST)
in the transformer winding also need further studies. Previous studies on transformer overheating detection
depends on the usage of empirical formula (IEEE and IEC standard formulations), experimental studies on
actual transformer and the usage of suitable computer based simulation thermal models [8, 9]. Empirical
formula was used to calculate maximum interior temperatures by assuming the heating process of oil and
winding to the charging and discharging process of a capacitor. IEEE gives precise formula to calculate the
value of HST while IEC standards stipulate a factor to be multiplied with the measured average temperature
rise to determine the winding hottest spot rise [10]. Furthermore, experimental studies also have been carried
out to measure the temperature of oil inside the transformer [11, 12] and the reliability of oil dielectric over
the years. But in these methods, the limitation is that the empirical formulae are derived based on certain
assumptions to generalize a formula to suit to any transformer. But these generalizations make the formula
specific only for a certain transformer [10]. This is because some of the transformer design, construction and
loading conditions change the transformer thermal response in a non-linear way which lead to poorly track on
the thermal response of transformer.
Mineral oil has been widely used in the transformer application [13, 14] as it can generate poisonous
substances due to oxidative instability. The disposal and clearance after equipment failure and spillage is also
a very difficult to exercise. The leakage of mineral oil transformer can post a serious threat to environment if
leakage or spillage. Due to these above mentions negative point attached to the mineral oil, its use is highly
questionable in many countries. The use of silicon oil has some better properties like, high flash point (low
flammability) but they are very expensive and also non-biodegradable [15]. Vegetable oil on the other hand
is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, renewable, cheap, highly available and safer alternative
insulating and cooling medium for transformer [16]. The characteristics of commercially available vegetable
oils vary with the product and typical representative values of the most vital characteristic for the use of
vegetables oils as transformer oils.
Literatures of thermal models simulation on the actual transformer using suitable software [17-20]
can give an accurate overview of heat distribution pattern across the transformer geometry. One of the
suitable software that can be used to study this problem is Finite Elements Method Magnetics (FEMM)
where the transformer is modelled based on actual measurement of a transformer. This software also allows
the user to locate the HST and the heat produced by working transformer as well as their temperature rising
in two-dimensional (2D). As for corn oil as transformer insulator, there not much study of how heat was
distributed when HST happen. Therefore, this paper presents a simulation study on the temperature
distribution with the presence of HST in Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN) corn oil-based transformer to see
how heat in this type of insulation oil distributed inside the transformer tank.

2. RESEARCH METHOD
ONAN type transformer was selected to be modelled to consider their thermal characteristics.
The transformer cross-sectional diameter is based on the actual diameter of transformer, but the sizing is
converted into millimetre. FEMM software is used to recreate the cross-sectional model of 3 phase ONAN
type transformer in 2D as the chosen software allows us to find their thermal behaviour by showing the
transformer heat flow. It is followed by the recorded data and analysis to determine whether their HST
locations affect the total heat build-up in the transformer.
The details of the 30 MVA transformer parameters are tabulated in Table 1. The 30 MVA
transformer is simulated with respect of the actual transformer nameplate rating. It is worth stating that the
nameplate of the transformer is given by the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and been simulated by using
FEMM software.

Table 1. Nameplate rating of the 30 MVA transformer

Parameter Value Unit
Type of cooling ONAN / ONAF -
Voltage HV/LV (No Load) 132 / 11 KV
Current HV/LV 131.22 / 1574.9 A
Phase 3 -
Frequency 50 Hz
Connection symbol YNdII -
Year of manufacture 1997 -
Core and winding 44400 Kg
Oil mass 21670 Kg
Total mass 88000 Kg
Oil quantity 24900 l
Un-tanking weight 44400 Kg

Bulletin of Electr Eng and Inf, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2019 : 753 – 760
Bulletin of Electr Eng and Inf ISSN: 2302-9285  755

The cross-section model of transformer is illustrated in Figure 1. The figure represents a model of 3
phase 30 MVA ONAN transformer consist of core type (3-limb three winding) with each phase of the
winding wound on each of the limb one over the other. The transformer temperature distribution is being
measured from 0 cm to 1045 cm as shown in Figure 1. Temperature settings for the HV windings and LV
windings was set at 65°C while the ambient is sets at 30°C. Corn oil was chosen to evaluate the thermal
behaviour of vegetables oil cooling mechanism in a transformer.

Figure 1. Transformer cross-sectional model

To compare the effects of HST, three locations of HSTs were added to the transformer winding to
observe the temperature distribution effects. Table 2 tabulates the locations of the HSTs and the temperature
of each fault along the HV winding. It is worth highlighting that all HSTs are simulated at the same time but
at different locations.

Table 2. Hot spot value in the HV winding and their location

Transformer conditions Locations Hot spot temperature (°C)
Hot spot 1 (HST 1) Bottom 100
Hot spot 2 (HST 2) Middle 100
Hot spot 3 (HST 3) Top 100

3. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Figure 2 demonstrates the heat distribution result of a normal working 30 MVA transformer.
It is evident that the transformer winding are the hottest part as they are the only heat source in the
transformer [21]. Both low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) windings produced enough heat which
contributed to the heat accumulation at the top of transformer tank. This proves the convection theory that the
hot oil rises upward due to its smaller density and the cool oil sinks towards the bottom of the transformer
which leads to the increment of the oil temperature along the axial direction [22].
Figure 3 shows the 30 MVA transformer outer surface temperature distribution using corn oil.
It is observed from Figure 3 that the highest temperature is being accumulated at the top middle of the
transformer. As studied by [23], the temperature pattern is downward due to the heat being accumulated in
the middle of the tank. This can be proved with the simulation result where the maximum reading
of 58.28°C is distributed at the middle of the tank. The curve shows the minimum temperature value
of 56.21°C for the oil at the foremost left and right of the top middle section. According to [24, 25], the corn
oil able to reduce the total heat build-up in the transformer. By looking at the simulation results, as in natural
convection theory, the heated oil becomes less dense and goes upward and the cooler oil sinks towards the
bottom of the tank as the movement of oil circulating inside the transformer [2]. It is believed the reason why
the peak temperature is located at the middle in Figure 3 is due to the heat being accumulated at the centre
and not at the side of the transformer which agreed by [12].

Top oil heat distribution pattern of ONAN corn oil based transformer with presence of… (M. A. Husin)
756  ISSN: 2302-9285

Figure 2. 30MVA corn oil insulated transformer heat distribution without HST

Figure 3. 30 MVA top oil temperature distribution using corn oil measured
from 0cm to 1045cm at the outer surface of the transformer

3.1. Heat distribution for ONAN transformer with the presence of hot spot temperature
In order to characterize the thermal performance of the transformer in full capacity, the simulation is
performed with of 3 faults/ hot spot temperature (HST) within the HV winding. It is important to observe the
effect of HSTs based on the location and their temperature levels. The temperature rise due to the fault
occurrence along the winding in mainly due to DC heat losses in the copper windings [4], which is
significant in contributing to the total heat generated in the transformer. Figure 4 illustrates the working
transformer with the HST present in the HV winding. The temperature distribution gives a clear observation
that the presence of hot spot totally changes the temperature reading on the top part of transformer oil.
Figure 5 shows transformer heat distribution with the present of hot spot at the bottom, the middle and the top
of transformer winding. The comparison of top oil temperature distribution between normal condition and
HST 1 until HST 3 is illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 4. 30MVA corn oil filled transformer with the present of hot spot temperature

Bulletin of Electr Eng and Inf, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2019 : 753 – 760
Bulletin of Electr Eng and Inf ISSN: 2302-9285  757

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 5. Transformer heat distribution with the present of hot spot at (a) the bottom, (b) the middle
and (c) the top of transformer winding

Figure 6. Comparison of top oil temperature distribution between normal condition (without fault) and with
fault at HST1, HST2, and HST3

As can be seen from Figure 6, the placement of HST affects the total heat accumulated in the middle
of the top of transformer tank. From the distribution, it can be considered as no major effect on top oil
temperature when HST is located at the bottom of the HV winding compared to when HST is placed at the
top of the winding [23]. The temperature plot indicates that HST located at the upper section of the winding
Top oil heat distribution pattern of ONAN corn oil based transformer with presence of… (M. A. Husin)
758  ISSN: 2302-9285

provides heat distribution profile that increases towards the temperature of the upper section of the
transformer. It has also been shown that the estimation of HST location may differ from the actual location in
the transformer [5]. This study also proved that in the presence of HST in the winding, there is an increasing
temperature on the overall heat distribution of the transformer [23].

4. CONCLUSION
Upon completion of this project, the desired thermal properties successfully illustrated the thermal
behaviour of a 30 MVA ONAN transformer. The insulating oil used in this study are corn oil. It is obvious
using corn oil in a transformer reduces the total heat build-up in the transformer compared with previous
paper study on mineral oil. It is worth mentioning that the presence of hot spot temperature (HST) across HV
winding contributes to the increment of heat in top oil of the transformer. The result reveals the location of
HST at the bottom of the HV winding has little effect to the top oil temperature compared to when HST is at
the top of the winding. From the temperature density plot, it can be concluded that the temperature is
accumulated at the centre of the tank due to the natural convection of the oil. The study also shows that
finding the hottest spot in the transformer is crucial to estimate the condition of transformer's oil degradation
rates or its lifetime in addition to others heat-induced problems inside a transformer.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express their sincere gratitude to Research Management Centre (RMC), Unversiti Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) for the use of facilities and for awarding research university grant under
votes U863 and U948 from Ministry of Education Malaysia (Higher Education).

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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS

Muhammad Azizi Husin was born in Selangor, Malaysia on March 29, 1992. His passion in
electrical engineering started in 2008 when he entered Sekolah Menengah Teknik Jengka (TEJA)
and continued his further studies in Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah (2010). He received his
bachelor degree in Electrical engineering at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM),
Malaysia in 2018. His research interest is more focus in transformer heat distribution.

Nordiana Azlin Othman was born in Johor, Malaysia on January 19, 1986. She is currently a
Lecturer at the Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn
Malaysia. She received B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
(UTM) in 2010 and PhD in High Voltage Engineering from UTM in 2016. Her research interest
includes the detection and diagnostics of partial discharge and space charge in insulation for
condition monitoring.

Nor Asiah Muhamad is currently a Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in 2009 from the
University of New South Wales, Australia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and
Electronic Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia, in 2002 and Master’s
degree in Electrical Power Engineering from the University of South Australia in 2006. Her
research interest is centred on power system equipment monitoring, in insulation diagnosis and
the development of new systems for condition monitoring.

Hanafiah Kamarden @ Kamarudin was born in Johor, Malaysia in 1986. He received B.Eng.
(Electrical- Control and Instrumentation) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2012.
He is currently pursuing his M.Eng. Degree at Institute of High Voltage and High Current
(IVAT), Faculty of Engineering, UTM. His research interest includes the detection and
monitoring of transformer overloads for condition monitoring.

Top oil heat distribution pattern of ONAN corn oil based transformer with presence of… (M. A. Husin)
760  ISSN: 2302-9285

M. S. Kamarudin obtained his B. Eng. and M. Eng. Degrees in Electrical Engineering (Power)
from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2003 and 2005, respectively, and a Ph.D. in High
Voltage Engineering from Cardiff University, UK, in 2014. Currently, he is a senior lecturer in
the Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
(UTHM). His research interests include gas discharges, high voltage surge arresters, and
dielectrics and electrical insulation system. He is registered with the Board of Engineers
Malaysia (BEM). He is also currently a member of IEEE and a graduate member of Institution of
Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).

Bulletin of Electr Eng and Inf, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2019 : 753 – 760