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