Apparatus and method for cooling and recovering heat from cables and transformers

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus (100) and method for cooling and recovering heat energy from power cables and/or transformers. The apparatus (100) comprises a first conduit (102) in thermal contact with at least one electrical power cable (104) and/or at least one transformer, a heat transfer device (106) coupled to the first conduit (102), fluid circulating means (112) and a heating circuit (114) coupled to the heat transfer device (106) for interfacing with an external heating system (126), such as those typically installed in domestic or commercial premises (128). When in use, the circulating means (112) is operable to circulate a fluid through the first conduit (102) to thereby enable the heat transfer device (106) to recover at least a portion of the heat energy of the cable (104) and/or transformer from the heated fluid for subsequent reuse by an external heating system (126) via the heating circuit (114). The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited for the recovery and reuse of wasted heat from subterranean high-tension power cables and above surface substation transformers, while cooling the equipment to improve operational performance and lifetime.

主权项

1. An apparatus for cooling and recovering heat from electrical power cables and/or transformers, the apparatus comprising:
a first conduit disposed externally to at least one electrical power cable and/or at least one transformer for thermal contact therebetween; a heat transfer device coupled to the first conduit; fluid circulating means; and a heating circuit coupled to the heat transfer device for interfacing with an external heating system, wherein, in use, the fluid circulating means is operable to circulate a coolant through the first conduit, without the at least one electrical power cable and/or the at least one transformer being in contact with the coolant, to thereby enable the heat transfer device to recover at least a portion of the heat energy dissipated by the at least one electrical power cable and/or the at least one transformer from the heated coolant for subsequent reuse by the external heating system via the heating circuit.