Impact of Typical Structural Parameters on Hotspot Temperature Rise in Dry-Type Bridge-Arm Reactors: A Simulation Study

The dry-type bridge arm reactor is an indispensable apparatus in flexible DC transmission systems, and it holds significant importance in promoting the intelligent development of power grids. This article focuses on the dry-type bridge arm reactor and establishes a numerical model for the coupling of fluid and temperature fields. It thoroughly investigates the impact of multiple typical structural parameters on the hotspot temperature rise of the reactor. Initially, a two-dimensional axisymmetric model for the dry-type bridge arm reactor is established, and the finite element simulation method is adopted to calculate the distribution of the temperature and flow fields within the reactor. Subsequently, the impact mechanism of structural parameters, such as encapsulation thickness, air duct width, and air duct height, on the temperature distribution and temperature rise of the reactor were investigated. Finally, a structural optimization design scheme for the reactor is proposed by comprehensively considering various factors. The results demonstrate that the optimized reactor’s hotspot temperature rise is reduced from 83.33 °C to 76.07 °C, indicating a notable decrease in temperature rise. The optimization method is of significant guidance in improving the heat dissipation capacity of the reactor.