Portable Wide Wavelength Spectrometer with Diffuse Reflectance Probe and Transformer Condition Assessment

Partners:

Introduction

For the purpose of undertaking broad band spectroscopic measurements directly on the windings of de-tanked transformers to determine insulation condition, a miniature spectrometer probe system is currently under development. The advantage of a portable system is to enable us to make direct spatial measurements on the insulated windings while they are still wrapped around the transformer core, thus enabling us to determine the dependence of paper ageing, such as degree of polymerisation (DP), and also water content on position along the windings.

System

The system consists of two miniature spectrometers covering the wavelength range of approximately 400 to 2200 nm (from optical to the near infrared range), and a diffuse reflectance probes incorporating integrating spheres together with a light source and fibre optic links between the components. A third design of the probe system is currently under development. The system is run from a laptop computer for convenience in field measurements.

Application

After some preliminary lab tests, the system will be adapted for use in the field. The fibre optic probe is flexible for up to 4 metres enabling positioning of the probe along whole transformer windings. Initially the probe will be hand-held but future measurements may include a motion control system that will enable us to scan the probe in a linear direction across the windings, thus giving us a more reliable distribution of spectra.

A later development is likely to include a transmission probe to analyse the oil simultaneously with the paper analysis before the transformer is de-tanked. Laboratory measurements have shown that both the oil and paper spectral information can be separated efficiently. It may also be possible in the future to perform in-situ measurements; this will depend largely on the ease of access to the transformer windings from outside the tank.

Analysis and modelling

To interpret the spectroscopic measurements, multivariate data analysis techniques (chemometrics) are being applied to the spectra to extract important information and generate models to predict the aged condition with respect to a number of material parameters such as paper type, degree of polymerisation and water content.

A further application of our analysis will be to validate software that is currently used for calculating temperature distributions across transformer windings. The software will be modified to calculate the spatial distribution of DP for different transformer thermal histories using detailed data on the degradation kinetics determined in earlier PRC work. By combining kinetic theory and spatial temperature information ageing distributions can be predicted and then validated using the spectroscopic probe. The result will be a validated generalised thermal ageing model for transformer insulation.

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International Fire Statistics and the Potential Benefits of Fire Counter-Measures

The European Flame Retardants Association invited the PRC to investigate if information could be gleaned on the potential benefits of fire counter-measures from fire statistics information that exists internationally and to revisit the PRC's earlier study of the UK and US statistics to further improve our understanding of fire impact trends and the potential benefits of fire counter-measures. Interest in this area has developed as the potential to further improve the constructive use of international fire statistics and their interpretation is recognised to make significant on counter-measure impact.

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High Performance Nanocomposite Electrical Insulations Systems (Partners: Siemens, Von Roll Isola, QinetiQ)

Introduction

A new class of high performance electrical insulation materials are currently being developed by the Polymer Research Centre. This research combines recent advances in nanocomposites technology with traditional and novel resin systems to create materials with enhanced electrical insulating, thermal and mechanical properties.

Background

Polymers used as electrical insulators often incorporate inorganic fillers in order to control electrical and mechanical properties. Polymer composites containing conventional inorganic fillers tend to form agglomerates of particles within the polymer matrix which can lead to electrical weak spots and poor mechanical properties. The main reason for this is that in general, polymers and their inorganic fillers are immiscible leading to poor adhesion between the two phases producing a coarsely blended macrocomposite. Insufficient shear during processing can also hinder the distribution of the filler in the polymer matrix.

An alternative approach is to develop polymer nano-composites where the inorganic fillers are dispersed at the nanoscale within the polymer matrix. This can be achieved by using nanometrci particles which are nanoscale in size, altering the chemistry of the filler particle surfaces to provide stronger interactions and greater adhesion between the filler particles and the polymer matrix and by ensuring that adequate mixing is achieved during processing.

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Life cycle Environmental and Economic analysis of Transmission Systems (LEETS)

Visit the LEETS mini-site for more information.

Introduction

LEETS is an integrated economic and environmental systems tool for decision support which is currently being applied within the electricity transmission industry. LEETS calculates economic and local environmental impacts over the life cycle in three stages - construction, operation and decommissioning. Because one of LEETS's unique strengths is its ability to supply information concerning local impacts such as noise and visual impact, as well as economic impacts, it also has potential to be applied within other industries where the operation and maintenance of distributed infrastructure is important - such as electricity and gas distribution and road and rail construction and maintenance. The open approach to modelling taken by LEETS permits the user to define systems and impacts very broadly from whatever data is considered significant. Since LEETS considers both economic and environmental impacts, it has potential to reduce overall project cost and also aid the search for more environmentally acceptable solutions.

Decision Tool

LEETS (Life-cycle Environmental and Economic analysis of Transmission Systems) is designed as a scenario based decision support tool for the construction, operation and decommissioning of large distribution and transmission systems. LEETS has been applied to a number of transmission system case studies in the electricity industry.

Benefits

LEETS is a platform for the collation and interchange of information across and between organisations that need to plan and then build transmission and transport systems with account of both economic and environmental effects. It is a strategic tool for scenario planning and also a tool for detailed planning. It will assist in meeting the requirements of SEA and also in securing solutions that will be acceptable to other stakeholders such regulators, local and regional authorities and the public.

Framework

• Innovative methodology
• Routing and systems studies
• Accommodates local geography and alternative route scenarios
• Suitable for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), now mandatory for many plans in the EU
• Flexible enough for diverse applications

Software Features

• Drag-n-drop modelling
• Time-dependent data and outputs
• Graphical reporting
• Normalised output charts
• User defined reporting
• Streamlined life cycle approach
• User-defined systems, environments and libraries
• User-defined impacts such as visual impact, noise and emissions
• Standard data formats
• Comparative, user-defined reporting of impacts and user defined reporting

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Producer Responsibility and Waste Reporting

Producer Responsibility Obligation (PRO)

Developing corporate environmental reporting standards in the UK, with the objective of developing template processes. These processes help to identify physical resource flows from procurement and sourcing through production, manufacture and sales to end-of-life compliance reporting.

Aim

The original aim of this project was to determine and define the collective user requirements for corporate environmental reporting. This was to be achieved by devising environmental reporting standards and templates to meet producer responsibility obligations, and to be adaptive to future integrated product policy (IPP) developments in Europe. In addition, the aim was to study how these standards and templates could be integrated into business practice for compliance reporting and national reporting of resource flows.

Original Key Objectives

• Examine the operation of PRO in relation to packaging waste to identify and qualify the resource flow reporting requirements.
• Examine the potential requirements for environmental reporting of other priority waste streams, particularly for the electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing and distribution industry and the automobile industry.
• Determine what the generic user requirements are for corporate environmental reporting of the priority waste streams within an organisation, and differentiate any special needs and requirements that exist in particular sectors.
• Determine the user requirements of those organisations that would manage and administer compliance, those that would audit compliance and others with requirements for national reporting of resource flows.
• Define potential generic solutions in the form of environmental reporting standards for PR, IPP, template reporting schemes and guides that would meet the collective user requirements and satisfy accepted standards for good environmental reporting through EMAS and ISO.

Outputs

Two documents, which report summary and detailed results, are available for download. These findings are now being used to develop a web-based solution called REMAT (REsource MAnagement Tool), which will meet the needs of all prospective users.

• A summary of the findings have been published in a "Highlights Report".
• The results of extensive consultations have been presented in the report "Meeting Producer Responsibility Obligations: User Requirements and Generic Solutions"

These documents are PDF files. If you don't already have an application for reading them, you may download one for free from Adobe.

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Rapid Assessment and Qualification of Electronic Product Enclosure Plastics (RAQEPP)

Partners: Intellect, Sony, HP, Panasonic, GE, Bayer & Pan Polymers

Introduction

Two projects (EPSRC & IeMRC funded) are investigating the efficient recovery and qualification of engineering thermoplastics such as ABS, PC, HIPS and PC/ABS blends used in consumer electronics, IT and electrical equipment. Both projects are geared to develop robust spectroscopic optical probing methods to rapidly identify and qualify such materials for reuse within the industry or placement on the open market as high value qualified recyclates.

Tools

• TRANSPECT probe capable of NIR and UV-Vis spectroscopic measurements for polymer identification
• MVSA techniques to provide additive identification (e.g. flame retardants) & correlation with physical properties such as the MFR and tensile strength of measured samples

TRANSPECT System

Key Points

• Separation of plastics is currently a major problem
• EU legislation such as WEEE needs to be addressed
• Lack of separation leads to loss of high value material which could be reused or resold
• Tools which can rapidly identify a plastic, its grade and any additives (e.g. flame retardants) urgently required
• These would help polymer separation and encourage confidence in material reuse by qualifying recyclates
• Dealing with black and dark coloured plastics remains a major challenge.

Applications

• Identification and qualification of engineering thermoplastics for reuse
• Development of portable tool for use in manufacturing and recycling environments

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Sustainable Use of Materials in Electrical and Electronic Products Network (SUMEEPnet)

Partners: Intellect, DTI, DEFRA, Envirowise, Resource Efficiency KTN, EEP Producers and Recyclers

Introduction

SUMEEPnet brings together academic research groups and industrial partners in the materials and products supply chain involved in the sustainable use of electrical and electronic products (EEP). This network, funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), was formed in response to EU environmental legislation including the WEEE, REACH, RoHS and EuP directives. Its main purpose is to help address the key issues facing industry and society by promoting a research agenda involving the academic community to help solve the key technical and economic challenges. SUMEEPnet is hosted by the Polymer Research Centre at the University of Surrey.

Member Benefits

• Latest News & Events
• Single Point of Contact for Latest Proposal Calls and Links to Sources of Funding
• Document Downloads including Conference Reports, Presentations & Consultation Exercise Results
• Networking Opportunities (other members/external organisations)
• Members' Discussion Board
• Advance notice of Conferences & Workshops
• Intuitive & Easy to Use Website

For more information or to join SUMEEPnet (registration is free) please visit: www.prc.surrey.ac.uk/sumeepnet

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SWRDA Plastics Scoping Study

Partners: SWRDA, WRAP, NISP, SWMAS, Envirowise

Introduction

Plastics Scoping Study - A scoping investigation into the Regions plastics manufacturing capacity. Identification of major plastics users, clusters of users and establishment of baseline polymer use and requirements.

The Study

• Manufacturing type
• Polymer source
  • Virgin
  • Recovered
  • Locally / nationally / internationally sourced
• Polymer requirements
  • Quantity
  • Specification
• Ability to switch to recovered polymers
  • Quantity
  • Specification
• Barriers to using recycled polymers
  • Technical
  • Logistical
  • Market based
  • Perceived
• Good practice
  • Enabling factors allowing those already using a percentage of recovered polymers to do so
  • Drivers
  • Potential to purchase
  • New technologies and processes
• Identification of ideas, potential solutions to overcome aforementioned barriers, support for market drivers and good practice
• Manufacturers plastic wastes
  • Quantity
  • Type
  • Current disposal route

SWRDA Survey

Do you use, recycle or produce plastic products? If so here's your opportunity to let the regional development agency know how they can help you.

The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) wants to help businesses that use plastics and to facilitate plastics recycling to assist sustainable economic development. GnoSys has been asked to collect and analyse information related to the market, economic, technology and materials aspects of plastics manufacture, conversion, use and recycling in the South West.

If you use plastics at any level within your company or have had experience using recycled plastic, need more information or training in the use of recycled plastics, interested in knowing how recycled plastics could save you money then please contact us.

Your participation will enable SWRDA to build a better picture of plastics use in the region and allow it to make informed decisions on what initiatives could help develop and give competitive advantages to your company.

Please complete the questionnaire relevant to you, either online or by download. To find out more, contact us at enquiries@gnosysgroup.com.

• Online questionnaire for plastic users
• Download questionnaire for plastic users
• Online questionnaire for plastic waste management facilities, recyclers and reprocessors
• Download Questionnaire for plastic waste management facilities, recyclers and reprocessors

Downloaded questionnaires should be returned by email, fax or post using the details on our contacts page. Please mark for the attention of Will Mortimore.

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