Development of Vapochromic Coordination Polymer Materials as Sensors for Electrical Transformer Diagnostics

加拿大社会高度依赖于电网的稳定性。变压器是电力系统的重要组成部分，该战略项目资助的研究旨在提高其效率，稳定性和寿命。 这可以通过保持一致的Transformer操作来极大地增加整体电网稳定性，目的是避免灾难性电力故障并最小化公用事业公司的成本。 Powertech Labs（BC Hydro的子公司）一直是Transformer诊断、状态评估和寿命延长技术研究的领导者。特别地，变压器绕组处的绝缘纸的劣化是电力Transformer的技术寿命终止的关键决定因素。 这种降解产生特定的标记化合物，可用于诊断Transformer的状态。 理想情况下，这些标记应该在运行期间在Transformer中在线检测。然而，这目前是不可能的，因为没有合适的传感器材料可以检测标记化合物。

Canadian Society is highly dependent on the stability of the electrical power grid. Transformers are a critical component of the power system and the research in this Strategic Project grant aims to increase their efficiency, stability and lifetime. This can greatly increase overall power grid stability by maintaining consistent transformer operation, with the goals of avoiding catastrophic power failures and minimizing costs to the utility company. Powertech Labs (a BC Hydro subsidiary) has been a leader in researching techniques for transformer diagnostics, condition assessment and life extension. In particular, the degradation of the insulating paper at the windings of the electrical transformers is a key determinant of the technical end of life of a power transformer. This degradation generates specific marker compounds that can be used to diagnose the transformer's status. Ideally, these markers should be detected online, in the transformer during operation. However, this is currently not possible because there are no appropriate sensor materials that can detect the marker compounds.