Gas-insulated equipment (GIE) is widely used in the power industry and has been using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as an insulating gas and arc-quenching medium. However, SF6 is one of the most potent greenhouse gases with a global warming potential of 25200 and an atmospheric lifetime of 3200 years. As a result, seeking eco-friendly insulating gas with advanced performance for next-generation SF6-free GIE is necessary for sustainable development.
Overview of SF6-based GIE and Eco-Friendly Insulating Gas
A research team led by Xiaoxing Zhang of Hubei University of Technology in China and scientists from various universities and companies have summarized the advances in eco-friendly gas insulating medium for next-generation SF6-free equipment. The team introduced the SF6-based GIE, the emission and reduction policies of SF6, the necessity of seeking eco-friendly insulating gas, and the basic requirements for eco-friendly gas, including environmental features, insulation and arc-quenching performance, stability, material compatibility, and biosafety.
Main Categories of Eco-Friendly Insulating Gas and Recent Progress
The team proposed the main categories of eco-friendly insulating gas, including traditional gas (CO2, N2, air), Perfluorocarbons and Trifluoroiodomethane, Fluorinated-nitrile(C4F7N), Fluorinated-ketones(C5F10O, C6F12O), Hydrofluro-Olefins (HFO-1234ze(E), HFO-1336mzz(E)). They also provided the molecular design method of eco-friendly gas. The team highlighted the recent progress of various eco-friendly insulating gas in terms of dielectric insulation, arc-quenching, stability and decomposition, materials compatibility, and biosafety. They also summarized the latest application of eco-friendly insulating gas in medium-voltage (MV), high-voltage (HV) scenarios, and relevant maintenance-related technologies.
Challenges and Future Development
Although significant progress has been made in the field, several significant challenges remain that call for more solutions to achieve the next-generation SF6-free GIE in the future. The improvement of stability, interruption capacity, and material compatibility is highly desired. The SF6 control and recycling, insulation coordination, scientific management of PFAS, etc. will hopefully steer the development of eco-friendly insulating gas and GIE.
The research team led by Xiaoxing Zhang has summarized the advances in eco-friendly gas insulating medium for next-generation SF6-free equipment. The team introduced the SF6-based GIE, the emission and reduction policies of SF6, the necessity of seeking eco-friendly insulating gas, and the recent progress of various eco-friendly insulating gas. The team also emphasized the challenges and future development needed to achieve the next-generation SF6-free GIE.
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