Research Advances of Bubble Dynamics in Power Transformers

Condition monitoring and maintenance are essential for ensuring stable and reliable operation of facility transformer, reducing costs, and increasing expected life. Foam cannot be avoided within the power transformer which illustrates at least one of the principal roots of insulation deterioration. Due to the intricacy of the dynamics within the insulation system, involving bubble creation, migration, and accumulation, challenges arise in understanding these mechanisms. Consequently, the problems caused by bubble dynamics require further investigation. This paper provides a scientific review of issues related to bubble formation, migration, and dispersion and their electrical effects on power transformers. Various descriptions are given to highlight impact of the dynamics of the bubble within high voltage insulation fields, which covers bubble generation mechanism, and therefore, the quintessential influencing factors, state-of-the-art advances in multi-physics coupled modeling of bubble dynamics, etc. Moreover, pending issues on bubble control and mitigation are addressed, as well as recommendations for future investigations. Nonetheless, this paper contains a useful quotation guide for researchers within an equivalent field of research, which can motivate readers to explore scientific solutions to prevailing bottleneck problems.