Circuit breaker is an important interrupting device in power system network. It usually has a lifetime about 20 to 40 years. During breaker's service time, maintenance and inspection are imperative duties to achieve its reliable operation. To automate the diagnostic practice for circuit breaker operation and reduce the utility company's workload, Wavelet based analysis software of circuit breaker operation is developed here. Combined with circuit breaker monitoring system, the analysis software processes the original circuit breaker information, speeds up the analysis time and provides stable and consistent evaluation for the circuit breaker operation.

In situ gelled acids that are based on polymers have been used in the field for several years as an acid diversion agent. These acids should not cause permanent formation damage, and should clean-up rapidly and completely when the well is put back on production. However, recent lab studies indicated that a significant amount of gel was retained inside the core even when the recommended breaker concentration was used. This gel significantly reduced the core permeability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the working mechanisms of the solid breaker and the factors that affect the breaking time. The flowback of the spent acid and the core damage induced by it will also be assessed in detail. Viscosity and rheological experimental studies were conducted using polymer-based in situ gelled acids that used Zr as a crosslinker agent. To form the gel, this acid was neutralized using Pink Desert limestone to pH 3.5-4.The rheological properties of the gel were measured under different breaking conditions for 2 hr using HPHT rotational and oscillatory rheometers. Temperature (150 to 250 degrees F), shear rate (0.1 to 1000 s^-1), and breaker concentrations (0 to 32 lb/Mgal) were the main parameters that were investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that there is no need to add more than 16-ppg breaker concentration at 150 degrees F, while 4-ppg breaker concentration is enough at temperatures higher than 200 degrees F. A full breaking of these acids was obtained when the values of elastic modulus (G') were equalized with the viscose modules (G"). An HPHT filter press was used to simulate the flowback of the spent acid. Viscosity measurements of filtered fluids were used to determine the degree of gel degradation. Carbonate cores that had a 2.5 in. diameter and 0.25 in.thickness were used. Temperature (75 to 250 degrees F) and breaker concentrations (0 to 16 lb/Mgal) were the main parameters that were investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that there was always a gel left inside the rock, and such caused permeability reduction. Time needed to flowback the solution decreased by 50% when the temperature was increased from 150 to 200 degrees F, while it decreased by only 30% when the breaker concentration was doubled. At 150 degrees F, 16-ppg breaker concentration was recommended for breaking the gel. At higher temperatures (>150 degrees F), 8-ppg breaker concentration was enough to help degrade the gel.

Zugl.: Freiberg, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2005.

The onset of a ferroresonance phenomenon in power systems is commonly caused by the reconfiguration of a circuit into the one consisting of capacitances in series and interacting with transformers. The reconfiguration can be due to switching operations of de-energisation or the occurrence of a fault. Sustained ferroresonance without immediate mitigation measures can cause the transformers to stay in a state of saturation leading to excessive flux migrating to transformer tanks via internal accessories. The symptom of such an event can be unwanted humming noises being generated but the real threatening implication is the possible overheating which can result in premature ageing and failures.The main objective of this thesis is to determine the accurate models for transformers, transmission lines, circuit breakers and cables under transient studies, particularly for ferroresonance. The modeling accuracy is validated on a particular 400/275 kV transmission system by comparing the field test recorded voltage and current waveforms with the simulation results obtained using the models. In addition, a second case study involving another 400/275 kV transmission system with two transformers is performed to investigate the likelihood of the occurrence of sustained fundamental frequency ferroresonance mode and a possible quenching mechanism using the 13 kV tertiary connected reactor. A sensitivity study on transmission line lengths was also carriedout to determine the probability function of occurrence of various ferroresonance modes. To reproduce the sustained fundamental and the subharmonic ferroresonance modes, the simulation studies revealed that three main power system components which are involved in ferroresonance, i.e. the circuit breaker, the transmission line and the transformer, can be modeled using time-controlled switch, the PI, Bergeron or Marti line model, and the BCTRAN+ or HYBRID transformer model. Any combination of the above component models can be employed to accurately simulate the ferroresonance system circuit. Simulation studies also revealed that the key circuit parameter to initiate transformer ferroresonance in a transmission system is the circuit-to-circuit capacitance of a double-circuit overhead line. The extensive simulation studies also suggested that the ferroresonance phenomena are far more complex and sensitive to the minor changes of system parameters and circuit breaker operations. Adding with the non-linearity of transformer core characteristics, repeatability is not always guaranteed for simulation and experimental studies. All simulation studies are carried out using an electromagnetic transient program, called ATPDraw.

A solid breaker is used to reduce the viscosity of the gel at pH range of 4-5 for in-situ gelled acids with Zr4 cross-linkers utilize. However, the literature survey confirmed that solid breakers caused a premature reduction in the fluid viscosity resulting in a less than desirable productivity. Therefore, an effective liquid breaker that is based on tetrafluoroboric acid was developed. This study was conducted to evaluate this new breaker system under the following conditions: breaker concentration (0-200 ppm), and acid injection rate (0.5-10 cm3/min). The major findings from the performed viscosity measurements and single coreflood experiments can be summarized as follows: the crosslinking of the polymer occurred at a pH value of 1.8. At a pH of less than 2, doubling the breaker concentration did not affect the viscosity of the acid. However, at a pH of greater than 2, the viscosity of acid was reduced by 30 percent. At a breaker concentration of 0 ppm, the appearance of Zr in the core effluent sample was delayed by 0.25 PV compared to the reaction product, while at 100 ppm, Zr was delayed by 0.75 PV. At 200 ppm breaker, no Zr ions were detected in the effluent samples. Additionally, it was observed that as the breaker concentration increased, more Zr remained inside the core, as ZrF4, which is water-insoluble. Increasing the breaker concentration from 100 to 200 ppm reduced the final normalized pressure drop by 50 percent at injection rate of 2.5 cm3/min. Permeability reduction due to gel was reduced by increasing the acid injection rate.

No description available.

abstract: Reliable and secure operation of bulk power transmission system components is an important aspect of electric power engineering. Component failures in a transmission network can lead to serious consequences and impact system reliability. The operational health of the transmission assets plays a crucial role in determining the reliability of an electric grid. To achieve this goal, scheduled maintenance of bulk power system components is an important activity to secure the transmission system against unanticipated events. This thesis identifies critical transmission elements in a 500 kV transmission network utilizing a ranking strategy. The impact of the failure of transmission assets operated by a major utility company in the Southwest United States on its power system network is studied. A methodology is used to quantify the impact and subsequently rank transmission assets in decreasing order of their criticality. The analysis is carried out on the power system network using a node breaker model and steady state analysis. The light load case of spring 2019, peak load case of summer 2023 and two intermediate load cases have been considered for the ranking. The contingency simulations and power flow studies have been carried out using a commercial power flow study software package, Positive Sequence Load Flow (PSLF). The results obtained from PSLF are analyzed using Matlab to obtain the desired ranking. The ranked list of transmission assets will enable asset managers to identify the assets that have the most significant impact on the overall power system network performance. Therefore, investment and maintenance decisions can be made effectively. A conclusion along with a recommendation for future work is also provided in the thesis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2019

ABSTRACT Federal regulations have recognized that arc flash hazards are a critical source of potential injury. As a consequence, in order to work on some electrical equipment, the energy source must be completely shut-down. However, power distribution systems in mission critical facilities such as hospitals and data centers must sometimes remain energized while being maintained. In recent years the Arc Flash Hazard Analysis has emerged as a power system tool that informs the qualified technician of the incident energy at the equipment to be maintained and recommends the proper protective equipment to wear. Due to codes, standards and historically acceptable design methods, the Arc Flash Hazard is often higher and more dangerous than necessary. This dissertation presents detailed methodology and proposes alternative strategies to be implemented at the design stage of 600 volt facility power distribution systems which will decrease the Arc Flash Hazard Exposure when compared to widely used code acceptable design strategies. Software models have been developed for different locations throughout a power system. These software model simulations will analyze the Arc Flash Hazard in a system designed with typical mainstream code acceptable methods. The model will be changed to show implementation of arc flash mitigation techniques at the system design level. The computer simulations after the mitigation techniques will show significant lowering of the Arc Flash Hazard Exposure.

No description available.

No description available.