Seismic Performance and Reinforcement Strategies for ±600 kV Suspended Converter Valves — Part1: Seismic Vulnerabilities

The suspended converter valve constitutes the fundamental equipment essential for the functioning of direct current power transmission infrastructure. The electrical equipment has been severely damaged in historical seismic events, underscoring the earthquake resistance of thyristor valve is critical for maintaining secure and consistent performance of energy delivery systems. Current seismic research focuses on ±800 kV converter valves, while studies on ±600 kV converter valves are lacking. Due to significant differences in the length of suspended insulators between ±600 kV and ±800 kV converter valves, their seismic responses differ considerably. A three-dimensional finite element model encompassing both the ±600 kV suspended converter valve and its supporting valve hall structure was developed to accurately capture their dynamic interactions under seismic excitation. The modal analysis is conducted, and the natural frequencies and mode shapes of converter valve and valve hall system are obtained. The seismic analysis results indicate that under 1 g seismic excitation, the calculated maximum seismic displacement of the suspended valve tower is 421 mm, exceeding the engineering design limit of 400 mm. The calculated minimum stress safety factor for the converter valve suspended insulators is 1.46, failing to meet the specified requirement of no less than 2. Both the swing amplitude of the converter valve and the stress on the suspended insulators exceed design limits. It not only poses a mechanical safety risk to the converter valve, but the excessive seismic displacement can also lead to seismic coupling effects between the converter valve and critical equipment. Therefore, further research on damping measures is required for the seismic vulnerabilities of ±600 kV suspended converter valves.