Prevention of green energy loss: Estimation of fire hazard potential in wind turbines

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 140; pp. 62 - 69
• Main Authors: Sun, Wei, Lin, Wei-Cheng, You, Fei, Shu, Chi-Min, Qin, Sheng-Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2019
• Subjects: Flash point; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Lubricating and transformer oils; Simultaneous thermogravimetry analyzer; Thermal hazards; Thermal hazards; Lubricating and transformer oils; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Simultaneous thermogravimetry analyzer; Flash point
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.03.045

Although numerous fire accidents in wind turbines had been reported, there were few relevant literatures on the fire hazard of oil system in wind turbine. This study focused on thermal hazards and decomposition characteristics caused by temperature variation for the wind turbine oil system. The thermal decomposition behavior and fire hazard potential of the lubricating oils (hydraulic and gear oils) and transformer oils used in wind turbines were investigated through a simultaneous thermogravimetry analyzer using non-isothermal models. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze the change in functional groups of three oils. The results demonstrated that the thermal decomposition process of the lubricating and transformer oils could be divided into three stages, with major mass loss in the second stage. The temperature associated with 17.5% mass loss could estimate the flash point of three oils, which facilitated to detect the fire hazard potential well on time. The FTIR results showed that during the oxidation of the transformer oil, a peak appeared at 1736 cm−1, corresponding to the CO of carbonyl compounds. The findings can be used as a reference to monitor the intrinsic safety and to provide a basis for timely replacement of oils in wind turbines. •Investigating the thermal decomposition behaviors of three oils in wind turbines.•Estimating the flash point by linear approach and comparing with measured values.•Potential fire hazards associated to gear oil, transformer oil, and hydraulic oil.•FTIR spectroscopy is promising in performance monitoring for oil replacement.