Center for High Voltage Engeneering and Insulating Systems
The research field of high-voltage engeneering and insulation systems is of central importance in modern industrial society. High voltages or high field strengths in the insulation systems are required for the low-loss transmission of electrical energy as well as for a variety of industrial applications from medical to manufacturing to automotive technology.
High-voltage technology includes the control of high electric field strengths in all types of electrical insulation. The simple basic principle is:
Under all conditions, the electrical stress (i.e. the electrical field strength) must always be smaller than the electrical strength of the insulating media.
The task of high-voltage technology is therefore not to generate electrical discharges, even if these are always impressive for visitors to our laboratory, but rather to prevent them in order to ensure the safe operation of devices and systems.
It is now necessary to further exploit insulation systems for technical and economic reasons. That's why a deep understanding of the materials is essential, which is why research in the area of high-voltage insulation materials and systems has now become very much focused on materials science. The direct cooperation of several laboratories involved in the IEHT is a great advantage. Modern analysis methods such as FTIR or Raman spectroscopy are available in the materials science working group and in the chemical-physical laboratory.
The THWS high-voltage laboratory offers for student training, research and cooperation with industrial partners a partially worldwide unique infrasructure. A more detailed description of the equipment can be found on the laboratory's website.
Thematic Fields
Insulating materials and systems for high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC)
... because in the future three-phase networks worldwide will reach their performance limits and will have to be networked with high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) ...
Research fields:
- Investigation of the electrical conductivity of insulating materials under defined boundary conditions
- Investigation of charge carrier generation and recombination as well as charge carrier transport in insulating liquids
- Measuring space charges with the electro-optical Kerr effect
- Measurement of space charges with the Pulsed Electro Acoustic Method (PEA)
- Multiscale modeling of charge transport in liquid and solid insulating materials
- Quantum chemistry
- Molecular dynamics
- Bipolar Charge Transport Models
- FEM simulation of charge transport in insulating materials and systems
Diagnosis, monitoring and condition assessment
... because the networks of industrialized nations were expanded decades ago, so that the safe operation of systems and devices requires reliable diagnostics of the aging condition ...
Research fields:
- Measurement and analysis of partial discharges, e.g. for HVDC applications
- Use of modern PD measurement technology and fault location detection for online and offline diagnosis
- Spectroscopic material analysis
Insulation systems for electrical machines and power electronic applicationsInsulation systems for electrical machines and power electronic applications
...because the new requirements in the area of electrical machines, such as an increase in efficiency, the use of modern, fast-switching power semiconductors and new insulating materials, are leading to increasing loads on the insulating systems...
Research fields:
- Investigation of the TE activity of engine test specimens
- Investigation of the aging behavior of engine insulation systems
- Investigation of the (aging) behavior of insulating materials at high frequencies
Projects
Modeling, simulation and measurement of electric field strength distributions in insulating fluids under transient and steady-state DC loading of layered insulation systems (EFI-DC)
Management Prof. Zink, Prof. Dr. Kobus
Research partners Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, Weidmann Electrical Technology AG
Duration 2018-2025
As a result of the energy transition and the restructuring of energy networks, high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) is becoming increasingly important and brings with it increasing demands on operating resources. The insulation systems of HVDC equipment, especially transformers, are of particular interest. The main components of such insulation systems are insulating fluids and oil-impregnated pressboard made of cellulose, which exhibit complex electrical conduction and polarization mechanisms under direct voltage stress that have not yet been studied in depth. Conventional RC circuit models are only partially suitable for the dielectric description of these materials and the mechanisms that occur. Rather, multiphysical modeling approaches are required that take different physical-chemical effects into account. These mainly include the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) system of equations. However, there has so far been no clear consensus regarding the parameterization when using it and the parameters on which the simulation is based are often only meaningfully estimated or varied empirically.
As part of the EFI-DC project, the layered insulation system will therefore be examined with different DC loads and configurations of the insulation system in order to gain a deeper understanding of the dominant charge carrier phenomena. Additional environmental parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.) can be varied, which can be used to test various hypotheses. The primary measurement methods for verification are the simultaneous measurement of the transient polarization current (PDC measurement) and the stationary and transient field strength in existing transparent areas of the insulating medium. Field and current curves resulting from these measurements can be used to parameterize or verify the existing models. With an accurate model and the understanding gained from it, the design of the insulation system of various equipment under DC load can be designed more effectively in terms of weak points and a potential reduction in the installation space of the transformers, which at the same time significantly increases the competitiveness of HVDC technology.
Elastomers with specific conductivity and their aging behavior (ELSA)
Management Prof. Zink, Prof. Kobus
Research partner Pfisterer contact systems
Duration 2022-2025
Elastomers, among other things, are used as insulating materials in complex insulation systems for cable applications (cable sleeves) in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. The selection and qualification of suitable materials for specific applications is challenging. In addition to the electrical parameters that are important for the design, knowledge about the aging behavior of these materials also plays a central role. In particular, construction and assembly-related situations in a cable sleeve, such as the "noble joint", or additives (lubricants) required for assembly can significantly influence the service life behavior. The combination or layering of various insulating materials such as silicones or EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers) with the XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) used in the cable as part of HVDC also brings with it new challenges for the insulation systems. The electrical conductivity has a decisive influence on the field distribution within the layer insulation system. However, this is significantly influenced by its dependence on various influencing factors such as the ambient temperature, the applied electrical field or production-related defects.
As part of the ELSA project (elastomers with specific conductivity and their aging behavior), different aging mechanisms of different elastomers are being investigated in collaboration with the project partner Pfisterer. By using dielectric diagnostic methods, such as polarization and depolarization measurements or space charge measurements using the PEA method, the condition of the insulating material is assessed over its service life. By additionally interpreting the dielectric properties using spectral investigation methods such as infrared and Raman spectroscopy, which allow information to be drawn about the bonding situation in the polymer, a uniform picture of the aging stage can be obtained.
This newly gained knowledge should make a significant contribution to the better qualification and testing of insulating materials, which should lead to advanced and more reliable fittings.
Conductivity investigation of insulating materials with field strength-dependent behavior (LUISE)
Management Prof. Zink
Internal research partner
Duration 2023-2026
The development of energy transmission with high-voltage direct current (HVDC) is a central element of the energy transition. A particular challenge is the safe design of high-voltage insulation systems, whose task is to safely control the high voltages and field strengths within the equipment. While in applications for alternating voltage the electric field (displacement field) can be controlled by the geometry of the electrodes and interfaces, this is not possible for direct voltage (flow field). The conductivities of the insulating materials determine the field distribution in the insulation system. However, the conductivities of the insulating materials are not only very different from one another, but are also highly dependent on the parameters field strength and temperature, whereas this dependence does not apply to the permittivity, which makes the design in the displacement field easier than in the flow field. During operation of the insulation systems, especially when, for example, the temperature distribution changes or temperature gradients develop, the above-mentioned dependencies can lead to the formation of space or surface charge zones, which can drastically change the field strength distribution in the insulation system, so-called field migration or inversion, see . Figure 1. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to the formation of (partial) discharges, which can then erode the materials and damage the insulation system to the point of total failure. Such problems occur not only in the insulation systems of HVDC equipment, but also, for example, in high-tech applications with high direct voltage, such as fundamental physics, semiconductor technology or microscopy. An innovative approach to improve the problems described lies in the use of so-called field grading materials (FGM) with a specifically adjusted or even field strength-dependent electrical conductivity. With these materials, areas with higher field strength can be automatically relieved and the field distribution in the insulation system can be evened out. Such materials are based on a carrier material, e.g. varnish or epoxy resin, in which filling materials (e.g. silicon carbides or metal oxides) are embedded, which show a field strength-dependent, varistor-like conductivity behavior.
Measurement of Motorettes (MEMO)
Management Prof. Zink, Prof. Rahimpour
Research partner NN
Duration 2023-2024
The transformation of the automotive industry towards fully electric vehicles brings with it various challenges in the design and development of individual components. Due to ever-increasing electrical consumers, the need for high voltages in the on-board electrical system is increasing in order to keep currents low and thus enable economical design of the machines. This results in a high electrical load on the insulating materials in the drive train, which is why proven insulation systems are often no longer sufficient. In order to ensure reliable operation over the service life in the future, it is important to examine the aging behavior of the insulation systems.
In the MEMO research project, the aging mechanisms under different types of stress are to be investigated in order to gain knowledge about the dominant aging factors. The accelerated aging tests take place on complete stators and motor formats with various insulation systems. In order to evaluate the aging condition of the test specimens in the individual aging stages, various non-destructive dielectric measurements from high-voltage technology are used. Among other things, the measurement of the insulation resistance (PDC measurement), the loss factor, the partial discharge activity at surge and alternating voltage as well as the frequency domain measurement (FDS) are used to determine the aging condition. If necessary, additional breakdown tests (HiPot) are used to determine the degradation of the insulation systems.
The characteristic values resulting from the tests should be used to parameterize a service life model. Particular attention is also paid to the partial discharge behavior of the test specimens in different aging states, which will be investigated using phase-resolved partial discharge analysis (PRPDA) and pulse sequence analysis (PSA). This serves to further understand the aging mechanisms of the insulation systems and offers the cooperation partner the opportunity to continue to guarantee the usual and required reliability. The results of the investigations show the limits of the insulation systems and offer a comparison with each other. In addition, the tests used can be used in the qualification and manufacturing process of a new product.
Contact
Contact
Prof. Dr. Markus Zink
97421 Schweinfurt
Office hour upon agreement.
Please contact me by mail.
Teaching Areas
Aktuelle Lehrveranstaltungen
- Hochspannungstechnik (BET 5. Semester)
- Hochspannungsisoliersysteme (BET 6. Semester)
- Hochspannungsisolierwerkstoffe und -systeme (Univ. Würzburg, Masterstudiengang Funktionswerkstoffe)
- Praktikum Hochspannungstechnik (BET 5. u. 6. Semester)
- Laborschein "Feldberechnung mit Finite Elemente Methode" (BWW, BMC, IBE, IMC)
Publications
Publikationsliste
o Optimierung eines Quenchdetektionssystems für suparleitende Magnetspulen; M. Borlein, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Wissenschaftl. Berichte FZKA 7076, 2004
o Magnet tests in TOSKA facility, FZK and proposal of a quench detection system for superconducting magnets in ITER; M. Borlein, W. H. Fietz, G. Nöther, Tagungsband zur Jahrestagung Kerntechnik 2005
o Design of a pair of superconducting solenoids for a neutron spin-echo spectrometer at the SNS; M. Borlein, F. Eyßelein, M. Gehring, T. Kozielewski, A. Kramer, M. Monkenbusch, M. Ohl, A. Paul, B. Schrauth, C. Thiemann, W. Walter, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 17-2 (2007) 1209-1212
o Manufacutring concept of a Nb3Sn-Dipole for ITER conductor test facility; J. Amend, W. Baker, M. Borlein, M. Gehring, A. Portone, E. Salpietro, E. Theisen, Tagungsband zur Jahrestagung Kerntechnik 2007
o Development of three new superconducting insertion devices for the ANKA storage ring; T. Baumbach, A. Bernhard, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, B. Kostka, E. Mashkina, P. Peiffer, R. Rossmanith, E. Steffens, W. Walter, D. Wollmann, Proceedings of the 11th European Particle Accelerator Conference (EPAC08) 2008, Genoa, Italy
o Diagnostic of the dielectric strength of superconducting magnets against paschen’s law; M. Borlein, H. Scheller, W. Walter, Tagungsband zur Jahrestagung Kerntechnik 2008
o Design, manufacturing and performance of a pair of superconducting solenoids for a neutron spin-echo spectrometer at the SNS; C. Boffo, M. Borlein, T. Kozielewski, M. Monkenbusch, M. Ohl, A. Paul, B. Schrauth, G. Sikler, C. Thiemann, W. Walter, IEEE Transactions on Applied Super¬con¬ductivity, 19-3 (2009) 1320-1323
o Test of a short prototype of a superconducting undulator for the ANKA synchrotron light source; T. Baumbach, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, A. Magerl, E. Mashkina, D. Saez de Jauregui, N. Vassiljev, W. Walter, Proceedings of the 23rd Particle Accelerator Conference (PAC09) 2009, Vancouver, Canada
o Progress on the Superconducting Undulator for ANKA and on the instrumentation for R&D; T. Baumbach, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni , A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, A. Magerl, E. Mashkina, D. Saez de Jauregui, N. Vassiljev, W. Walter, Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation (SRI09) 2009, Melbourne, Australia AIP Conf. Proc. - June 23, 2010 - Volume 1234, pp. 33-36
o A new superconducting undulator for the ANKA synchrotron light source; T. Baumbach, A. Bernhard, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, E. Mashkina, R. Rossmanith, W. Walter, Proceedings of the 23rd Particle Accelerator Conference (PAC09) 2009, Vancouver, Canada
o Development of the next generation superconductive undulators for synchrotron light sources; T. Baumbach, A. Bernhard, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, B. Kostka, E. Mashkina, P. Peiffer, R. Rossmanith, W. Walter, D. Wollmann, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 19-3 (2009) 1324-1327
o Test of an electromagnetic shimming concept for superconducting undulators; T. Baumbach, C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, E. Mashkina, R. Rossmanith, E. Steffens, W. Walter, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 19-3 (2009) 2329-2332
o Kerntechnik; Markus Borlein, Vogel-Fachbuchverlag, 2. Auflage 2011
o A New Superconducting Undulator for the ANKA Synchrotron Light Source; C. Boffo, M. Borlein, S. Casalbuoni, A. Grau, M. Hagelstein, E. Mashkina, D. Saez de Jauregui, N. Vassilijev, W. Walter, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity (June 2010), 20 (3), pg. 262-264
o Wie lange können Kernkraftwerke sicher betrieben werden?; M. H. Zink, www.Energie-Fakten.de, erschienen 2010
o Ageing-condition assessment of 400 kV OIP generator transformer bushings; F. Berger, V. Klipfel, A. Küchler, M. H. Zink, International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering (ISH), Hannover, 2011
o Können sich Kernenergie und Regenerative Energien ergänzen?; M. H. Zink, www.Energie-Fakten.de, erschienen 2011
o Nuclear turn-around in Germany – Activities of the German YGN in these challenging days; Y. Schmidt-Wohlfarth, E. Werner, T. Winkler, M. H. Zink, International Youth Nuclear Congress, Chralotte, 2012 – 2. Platz im Best Paper Award
o Diagnosis of HVDC insulation systems by use of oil-conductivity measuring Methods; Ch. Krause, A. Küchler, M. Liebschner, F. Schober, M. H. Zink, IEEE “International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis”, Bali, 2012
o Ageing-condition assessment of generator transformer bushings by means of dielectric simulation models; F. Berger, V. Klipfel, A. Küchler, M. H. Zink, IEEE “International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis”, Bali, 2012
o Der Einfluss von Temperatur, Feldstärke und Atmosphäre auf die Alter¬ung von OIP Hochspannungstransformatordurchführungen; F. Berger, A. Küchler, A. Langens, A. Reumann, S. Voll, M. H. Zink, J. Titze, ETG-Fachtagung „Diagnostik elektrischer Betriebsmittel“, Fulda, 2012
o Der Einfluss von Temperatur und Streukapazität auf diagnostische Kapa¬zitäts- und Verlustfaktormessungen von 400 kV-Hochspannungstransformatordurchführungen; F. Berger, V. Klipfel, A. Küchler, S. Voll, M. H. Zink, ETG Fachtagung „Diagnostik elektrischer Betriebsmittel“, Fulda, 2012
o Zustandsbewertung betriebsgealterter Hochspannungstransformatordurchführungen mit Öl-Papier-Dielektrikum mittels dielektrischer Diagnose; M. H. Zink, Dissertation TU-Ilmenau, Universitätsverlag Ilmenau, 2013
o Kompensation des Temperatureinflusses auf dielektrische Messungen im Zeitbereich zur Beschreibung von Isolierwerkstoffen; M. H. Zink, A. Küchler, F. Berger, ETG-Fachtagung „Grenzflächen in elektrischen Isoliersystemen“, Dresden, 2013
o Einfluss der Messdauer auf das Ergebnis dielektrischer Diagnosemessungen im Zeitbereich; M.H. Zink, A. Küchler, S. Roth, Ch. Wahler, ETG-Fachtagung „Diagnostik elektrischer Betriebsmittel“, Berlin, 2014
o FEM model for describing the dielectric behavior of oil-impregnated pressboard under DC stresses; A. Krieg, G. Lala, F. Schober, J. Wiener, J. Paulus, A. Küchler, M.H. Zink, M. Liebschner, SIP 2015, 33rd International Conference “Science in Practice”, Schweinfurt, 2015
o Steady-state and Transient Electrical Potential Distributions in HVDC Bushings Measured under Different Thermal Conditions; I. Wirth, A. Reumann, M.H. Zink, A. Küchler, T. Schnitzler, A. Langens, F. Berger, 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, 2015
o Phase Change Materials for Use in Thermally and Electrically Stressed Insulation for High Voltage Applications; S. Harrer, C. Dotterweich, J. Hartmann, M. H. Zink F. Hemberger, H.-P. Ebert, T. Schnitzler, IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference, Montréal, Canada, 2016, pp 605-608
o Paraffine als Phasenwechselmaterialen in der elektrischen Isolierung von Hochspannungsbauteilen; S. Harrer, C. Dotterweich, J . Hartmann, M. H. Zink, T. Schnitzler, H.-P. Ebert, F. Hemberger,ETG Fachtagung „Hochspannungstechnik“, Berlin, 2016
o Correction of Temperature for Dielectric Measurements in Time Domain; M.H. Zink, K. Hopf, 20th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Buenos Aires, Brazil, 2017
o Evaluation of the Electrical Insulating Properties of Paraffin; C. Dotterweich, S. Harrer, M. H. Zink, Power and Energy Student Summit, Erlangen, 2017
o Anisotropic electrical conductivity of resin impregnated paper; K. Hopf, A. Küchler, S. Sturm, I. Wirth, Power and Energy Student Summit, Erlangen, 2017
o On the conduction mechanism of dielectric liquids based on mineral oil; S. Harrer, C. Dotterweich, J. Hartmann, M.H. Zink, 20th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Buenos Aires, Brazil, 2017
o Diagnosen aufgrund des dielektrischen Verhaltens von Transformatordurchführungen; A. Küchler, M. H. Zink, FKH Fachtagung Zustandsbeurteilung von Transformatoren und Messwandlern, 2017
o Elektrische Feldverteilung und Polarisationsströme in HVDC-Durchführungen; I. Wirth, A. Küchler, M. H. Zink, A. Langens, F. Berger, Fachtagung Polymere Isolierstoffe und ihre Grenzflächen, Zittau, Deutschland, 2018
o Thermisches und elektrisches Verhalten von Phasenwechselmaterialien als Isolierstoff in elektrischen Betriebsmitteln; Ch. Dotterweich, M. H. Zink, B. Göbel, J. Popp, T. Schnitzler, F. Hemberger, Fachtagung Polymere Isolierstoffe und ihre Grenzflächen, Zittau, Deutschland, 2018
o Berücksichtigung von Leitungs- und Polarisationsmechanismen in transienten FEM-Simulationen von HGÜ-Isoliersystemen; I. Wirth, S. Sturm, M. H. Zink, A. Küchler, F. Berger, T. Schnitzler, VDE Fachtagung Hochspannungstechnik, Berlin, 2018
o Experimental and simulative analysis of the thermal behavior of high voltage cable joints; M. Koch, I. Wirth, S. Sturm, M. H. Zink, A. Küchler, J. Hohloch, VDE Fachtagung Hochspannungstechnik, Berlin, 2018
Career
Kurzlebenslauf
SCHULISCHER UND BERUFLICHER WERDEGANG
seit 09/2013 Professor für Elektrische Energie- und Hochspannungstechnik, FHWS
07/10 – 06/2013 EnBW Kernkraft GmbH, Kernkraftwerk Philippsburg, Doktorand
08/05 – 06/10 Babcock Noell GmbH, Projektleiter und Entwicklungsingenieurim Bereich supraleitender Magnetspulen, Ausbilder von DHBW-Studierenden
10/04 – 07/05 Institut für Technische Physik am Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, Leiter Elektroniklabor
09/99 – 09/00 Staatl. Berufsoberschule Kitzingen
03/99 – 08/99 Heinrich Huppmann GmbH, Leitung Wareneingang, techn. Angebotskalkulation
09/96 – 02/99 Heinrich Huppmann GmbH, Staatl. Berufsschule Kitzingen, IHK
Ausbildung zum Industriekaufmann
AKADEMISCHER WERDEGANG
07/10 - 06/13 Promotionsstudium, EnBW Kernkraft GmbH in Kooperation mit der FHWS und der TU Ilmenau
05/07 – 04/08 Masterstudiengang der Elektro- und Informationstechnik FHWS
10/00 – 09/04 Studium der Elektrischen Energietechnik, FHWS
Additional Information
Verbandstätigkeiten
Mitglied im VDE und der CIGRÉ
Sprecher VDE Unterfranken
VDE Vertrauensdozent an der THWS
Betreuer der VDE Hochschulgruppe an der THWS
Mitglied der VDE Arbeitsgruppe "Planung zellularer Energiesysteme"
Mitarbeit in der VDE TaskForce "Perspektiven der Übertragungstechnik"
Mitarbeit in der CIGRÉ-Arbeitsgruppe A1.43 "Bushing reliability"
Mitarbeit in der CIGRÉ-Arbeitsgruppe D1.56 "Field grading in electrical insulation systems"