Parameters Identification for Extended Debye Model of XLPE Cables Based on Sparsity-Promoting Dynamic Mode Decomposition Method

To identify the parameters of the extended Debye model of XLPE cables,and therefore evaluate the insulation performance of the samples,the sparsity-promoting dynamicmode decomposition(SPDMD)methodwas introduced,aswell the basics and processes of its applicationwere explained.The amplitude vector based on polarization current was first calculated.Based on the non-zero elements of the vector,the number of branches and parameters including the coefficients and time constants of each branch of the extended Debye model were derived.Further research on parameter identification of XLPE cables at different aging stages based on the SPDMD method was carried out to verify the practicability of the method.Compared with the traditional differential method,the simulation and experiment indicated that the SPDMD method can effectively avoid problems such as the relaxation peak being unobvious,and possessing more accuracy during the parameter identification.And due to the polarization current being less affected by the measurement noise than the depolarization current,the SPDMD identification results based on the polarization current spectral line proved to be better at reflecting the response characteristics of the dielectric.In addition,the time domain polarization current test results can be converted into the frequency domain,and then used to obtain the dielectric loss factor spectrum of the insulation.The integral of the dielectric loss factor on a frequency domain can effectively evaluate the insulation condition of the XLPE cable.

Application of time-temperature superposition method in thermal aging life prediction of shipboard cables

The life of shipboard cables will decrease due to the complex aging processes. In terms of the safety perspective, remaining life prediction of the cable is essential to maintain a reliable operation. In this paper, firstly, based on Arrhenius equation, residual life of new styrene-butadiene cable is calculated; result indicates that the degradation rate which changes with time is proportional to thermal temperature. Then second order dynamic model is adopted into the residual life prediction, combined with the time-temperature superposition method(TTSP), and a new residual life model is proposed. According to the accelerated thermal aging experiment data and Arrhenius equation, TTSP method demonstrates to be an efficient way for life prediction, and life at normal temperature can be estimated by this model. In order to monitor the state of styrene-butadiene cable more accurately, an improved residual life model based on equivalent environment temperature of cable is proposed, and life of cable under real operation is analyzed. Result indicates that this model is credible and reliable, and it provides an important theoretical base for residual life of cables.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PHOTOINITIATED CROSSLINKING OF POLYETHYLENE AND ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The recent developments in the photoinitiated cross-linking of polyethylene and the significant breakthrough of its industrial application are reviewed. The enhanced photo-initiation system, the dynamics of photoinitiated crosslinking, the optimum conditions, the crystal morphological structures and related properties, and the photo- and thermo-oxidation stability of photocrosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) materials have been elucidated systematically. A new technique for producing photocrosslinked XLPE-insulated wire and cable is described in detail. It can be expected that the future applications of photocrosslinking technique of polyolefins will be very promising.

SYNERGETIC EFFECTS OF SILANE-GRAFTING AND EVA ON WATER TREE RESISTANCE OF LDPE

The synergetic influence of silane-grafting and polar additives （EVA） on the water tree resistance of the low density polyethylene has been investigated. A series of samples obtained before and after hydration have been characterized by measuring gel content, infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and dielectric measurements. The results obtained clearly show that the silane condensation occurred and that the silane-grafting and polar additives have synergetic effects on the water tree resistance of LDPE with little influence on its dielectric properties, e.g. the dielectric breakdown strength, dielectric permittivity and loss tangent.

Linear Dynamic Viscoelastic Response of Melts for Crosslinkable Polyethylene Insulation Cable Granules During Cross-linking

Two commercial crosslinkable polyethylene insulation cable granules, designed for 110 and 35 kV voltage insulation, with similar crosslinking temperature but different melting temperature, were chosen as experimental samples for examining their linear dynamic responses during cross-linking. It has been found that the gel contents of cable compounds for 110 and 35 kV insulation are almost the same after they have been cross-linked at the same temperature, pressure and time. And the sample melts show the similar dependence of the dynamic storage modulus, G; on strain. On the other hand, the dynamic temperature ramp test and the dynamic time sweep test indicate that the samples exhibit different dynamic viscoelastic responses during their crosslinking. An expression for describing their erosslinking process was proposed via probing rheokinetics of crosslinking for the two samples.

MODIFICATION OF POLYETHYLENE BY in situ FORMED SODIUM ACRYLATE

To improve the water tree resistance of PE, linear low-density polyethylene （LLDPE） was compounded with sodium acrylate （NaAA） for in situ polymerization, in which NaAA was fbrmed through the neutralization of acrylic acid （AA） with sodium hydroxide （NaOH） before adding dicumyl peroxide （DCP） to initiate the in situ graft polymerization and homo polymerization. A series of LLDPE/NaAA compounds were investigated for their water absorption ratio （WAR） measurement, water treeing, mechanical and dielectric properties. The results strongly suggest that NaAA can improve the water tree resistance of LLDPE. In addition, the LLDPE/NaAA compounds possess satisfactory mechanical properties and dielectric properties. Characterization of LLDPE/NaAA compounds by using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry （FTIR） suggests that the neutralization and polymerization reaction could be achieved effectively. Using adequate DCP content is the key factor for controlling the polymerization of NaAA with precise conversion ratio.

Quantitative Analysis of Azodicarbonamide in Insulation Layers of Extruded Cables by HPLC–UV Detection

Azodicarbonamide(ADC),which has been abundantly used in the creation offoamed plastics as a blowing and foaming agent,has attracted more and more attention in recent years due to the health risks associated with its consumption.ADC is actually on the REACH(Registration,Evaluation,Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals)regulation Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern,and the residual content in products needs to be confirmed by the end users according to regulations.Therefore,the determination and monitoring of ADC in plastic products is necessary and crucial not only for the growth of ADC global market but also for the health of the public.In this work,a quantitative method for ADC in insulation layers of cables was developed by using optimized total dissolution methodology(TDM)for sample preparation followed by HPLC under HILIC conditions with UV absorbance detection.The linear range of this method was 6–600μg·g^(-1) ,and the limit of detection(LOD)and limit of quantitation(LOQ)were 0.94 and 3.1μg·g^(-1) in solution,respectively.The method has good recovery and precision,and is easy to operate.It meets the needs of the industry and is conducive to the growth of ADC global market.This method is expected to be applicable to ADC quantitation in other polyolefin products.

Space Charge Suppression of Polyethylene Induced by Blending with Ethylene-butyl Acrylate Copolymer

High-voltage direct current(HVDC)power cables have been paid more attention due to the big issue concerning the main insulation materials.The residues in the industrial production process will cause space charge generation and accumulation in the materials,which has become one bottleneck to limit the development of power cables up to higher voltage levels.In this paper,the LDPE matrix was modified by three types of ethylene-butyl acrylate(EBA)copolymers(1.0 wt%)with different polarities(BA content)via melt blending to optimize the space charge behavior of the LDPE insulation.The micromorphology and structure of the blends are examined by polarized light microscope and differential scanning calorimetry.The space charge distribution is tested by the pulsed electro-acoustic method.The trap level is studied by the thermally stimulated current.The results show that EBA introduces more deep traps and decreases the shallow traps.The medium-polar EBA(16%BA content)can effectively suppress charge accumula-tion,and have the same suppressed effect on XLPE/EBA blends.This study will provide important insights into the design and development of advanced HVDC power cable applications.