Research Associate in Modelling of Transformer Ageing

Job Description

Ageing rate of a transformer tend to be related with transformer thermal design and loading condition. During the ageing of transformer insulation system various ageing by-products are produced, and some by-products such as water, methanol and 2-FAL can be called as chemical markers, are often utilized by utilities to estimate the lifetime of transformer insulation. The complex partitioning process of these chemical markers between liquid and solid insulation is a key challenge for marker-based life estimation. Partitioning process can be temperature, oil velocity and concentration dependent, and time constants of processes can be varied depending on applications. Modelling of the ageing and the dynamic process of chemical markers can improve our understanding on the generation and distribution of the chemical markers. Through modelling the combined ageing and partitioning processes this project will study the dynamics of these chemical markers to identify key influencing parameters which affect the measured marker quantities and its use in condition assessments based on periodical oil tests. The abnormal behaviour of chemical markers seen in the operating transformers need to be explained.

As part of the project team, you will be expected to:

• Utilise the post-mortem data and loading information from scrapped transformers to update the existing reaction kinetic based approach and model the ageing of transformer insulation.
• Develop and utilise a physics-based model to simulate the generation, transportation and accumulation of chemical markers within the transformer insulation system.
• Validate the model utilizing the experimental results provided by other work packages of the project.
• Identify key influencing parameters which affect the measured marker quantities and its use in condition assessments based on periodical oil tests.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk. Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Professor Zhongdong Wang

Email: zhongdong.wang@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.