Efficient optimization design of dry-type air-core reactors with the improved genetic algorithm

In this paper, we propose several approaches to improve the efficiency of the optimization design for dry-type air-core reactors. Above all, by virtue of the empirical formula of the inductance of short solenoids, a neat formula for the inner diameter corresponding to the minimum mass of the reactor, termed optimal inner diameter, is presented, and a favorable range of the inner diameter is determined accordingly. Then, an efficient optimization model is established without frequently and repeatedly adjusting the design variables. In addition, genetic algorithm for the optimization design of the reactor is improved by introducing linear scaling and a dynamic mutation operator. The proposed approaches are tested on the single-phase dry-type air-core reactor of 50 kVar with round conductors. An economic and qualified result can be obtained in a short period of time after the application of the approaches. The merits of these approaches could be more obvious for the large-capacity reactors.