Dielectric Strength Measurement of Different Insulating Gases I Approach to find Sulphur Hexafloride alternative

This project is based on the researches made in all over the world to replace SF6 as a Dielectric medium being used in different circuit breakers & GIS. The main reason to find an alternative is the decomposition of SF6 into nature which can usually takes hundreds of years to decompose. With a G

Project Title

Dielectric Strength Measurement of Different Insulating Gases I Approach to find Sulphur Hexafloride alternative

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

This project is based on the researches made in all over the world to replace SF6 as a Dielectric medium being used in different circuit breakers & GIS. The main reason to find an alternative is the decomposition of SF6 into nature which can usually takes hundreds of years to decompose. With a GWP of around 22,800 over a 100-year time horizon, SF6 is the most potent greenhouse gas regulated under the Kyoto Protocol (Rigby et al, 2010: 10305). Its GWP of 22,800 means that it is 22,800 times more effective at trapping infrared radiation (i.e., creating the greenhouse effect) than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.

We have developed a chamber in which we have tested different alternatives of SF6. Those different alternatives could be:

• ASTM D877
• N2 Mixture
• Air Mixture
• SF6/N2
• C5F10O (C5PFK)
• SF6 mixture with other gases

We have tested Air and Vacuum in our chamber by maintaining pressure, temperature and environmental conditions such as humidity, dust and pollution.  We are actually finding an approach as a replacement for SF6 in electrical equipment.

Project Objectives

A research shows that; Global annual SF6 production is currently around 8,000 tonnes (Damsky, 2016: 1). Furthermore, based on atmospheric data, global SF6 emissions in 2012 were 8,100 tonnes (Dunse et al, 2015: 20) essentially creating a production-emission parity. These emissions are the equivalent of the annual greenhouse footprint of approximately 40 million cars (EPA, 2017). Despite these environmental consequences, SF6’s use in the electrical industry is forecast to grow by around 50%, from 2005 levels, by 2030.

The main objective of our project is to find an alternative gas or a specie which can be used in different circuit breakers or gas insulated switches. In today’s world, we have been strongly hit by Climate Change & its effect over our planet. SF6 is a greenhouse gas & it is harmful to the nature.

Project Implementation Method

We are intending to develop a system in which we can find the dielectric strength of different insulating gases and approach to find an alternative of SF6.

We have innovated an acrylic glass tube having inner diameter 110 mm and length is 450 mm. This tube chamber can bear temperature 5-35 degrees and can with stand with pressure of 100 bars. This acrylic tube will serve as a chamber for testing insulating gases in which we are finding an approach to find SF6 alternative. As for now, we have tested air and vacuum in that vessel.

To prevent any leakage from gas chambers, we have installed rings at its closing connection with rode which is further connected with chamber cap of PAM material.

To maintain the pressure and humidity inside the chamber (tube), we have used [pressure gauge] & [Humidity Gauge] respectively.

By using air as a dielectric or insulating medium, we’ve applied maximum of 25kV Volts inside the gas chambers, since the dielectric strength of air is 25kV. We have witnessed that by increasing the pressure in the vessel, It has been observed that dielectric strength of air has increased.

Benefits of the Project

For Human Health:

Since SF6 gas is identified as a greenhouse gas, safety regulation is being introduced in many countries in order to prevent its release into the atmosphere. In its normal and inert form SF6 is relatively harmless to humans. However, when exposed to electrical discharges through everyday usage within SF6-filled equipment, highly toxic by-products are produced that pose a serious threat to those in close proximity to the switchgear

For companies using SF6  these dangers represent, at best, increased handling costs due to required safety measures, and at worst a real risk to human life. They also lead to legitimate concerns over the health and welfare of utility employees as well as the communities that host switchgear stations.

Our project will initiate an alternative for the industries who are known with the fact that there lies a threat to humans working near the switchgear stations.

For Environment/Climate Change:

Unlike gases such as CO2, SF6 has no natural sink, origin or effective disposal method, making its accumulation in the atmosphere virtually irreversible. Without disposal methods that completely destroy SF6, it can be expected that all of the SF6 that has been or will be produced will eventually end up in the atmosphere.

Our project will innovate a solution to the problem being faced by billions of people as decomposition of SF6 into our atmosphere remains for hundreds of yeas ultimately contributing towards climate change.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The project is consisted on following technical items:

• Acrylic Glass Tube
• Pressure Gauge
• Humidity Gauge (Hygrometer)
• Gas Cylinder
• Electrode arrangements
• High Voltages

In our FYP, we are using an acrylic glass tube to develop a chamber where we can find the dielectric strength measurement of different insulating gases and we are finding an alternate of SF6.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Clean Tech

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com