Emission Reductions through use of Sustainable SF6 Alternatives

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CIRED 2019 - 1346.pdf (371.14 KB)
Paper number
1346
Working Group Number
Conference name
CIRED 2019
Conference date
3-6 June 2019
Conference location
Madrid, Spain
Peer-reviewed
Yes
Short title
Convener
Authors
Owens, John, 3M, USA
Xiao, Ang, 3M, USA
Bonk, Jason, 3M, USA
Abstract
For decades, SF6 has been a preferred dielectric gas used in many electrical power applications, including medium voltage gas-insulated equipment. However, SF6 has an extremely long atmospheric lifetime and has been recognized as a potent greenhouse gas. As a result, governments have sought to reduce emissions from gas-filled equipment. The electrical power industry has demonstrated a willingness to respond to this environmental issue. Emission rates from gas-filled equipment have been reduced. Progress has been made but complete elimination of emissions will not occur until alternative technologies are implemented for SF6 in electrical power applications. The development of alternative insulating gases is quite challenging due to the complex combination of performance and safety properties required in electrical power applications. An insulating gas needs not only high dielectric strength but must also have good heat transfer properties and be nonflammable, thermally stable and low in toxicity. Today, an insulating gas must also have sustainable environmental properties, meaning, zero ozone depletion potential and a global warming potential significantly lower than SF6. Environmentally sustainable solutions that are both effective and low in climate impact are available for some of the applications which have traditionally used SF6. Both a fluoroketone and a fluoronitrile have been successfully used in gas-insulated equipment currently operating on the grid. This paper will review these recently-implemented insulating gases with updates on the performance, safety and environmental profiles in electrical power applications.
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Publisher
AIM
Date
2019-06-03
Published in
CIRED 2019 Conference
Permanent link to this record
https://cired-repository.org/handle/20.500.12455/375
http://dx.doi.org/10.34890/604
ISSN
2032-9644
ISBN
978-2-9602415-0-1