Malaysian

IndonesianNational
National
Committee
Committeeofof CIGRE
CIGRE

SF6-gas information

Overview of the presentation

Characteristics of SF6-gas
IEC 60376
IEC 60480
IEC 62271-303
Decomposition products
Storage of SF6
Transportation of SF6
Labelling of SF6
Valves for SF6
Repeated tests
Assessment of SF6
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 Malaysian
IndonesianNational
National
Committee
Committeeofof CIGRE
CIGRE

Use of SF6-gas in electric power

equipment since 1960 as insulating
and arc quenching medium

SF6-gas sulphur hexafluoride (molecule) Characteristics

Sulphur hexafluoride is a non-toxic,

inert, insulating and arc quenching
gas of high dielectric strength and
thermal stability.

Colourless
Odourless
5 times heavier than air
Temperature resistant up to 500 C
Insulating and cooling gas
Chemically inert
Non-toxic
Non-inflammable
Non-corrosive
Lifetime in the atmosphere: 3,200 years

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Advantages of using SF6 Characteristics

Closed, compact electrical

components
Insensitive to environmental
influences (moisture, sand, salt)
High personal safety
Low maintenance efforts
High reliability

Due to this positive characteristics

SF6-gas is used worldwide in the
energy technology

Specification of new SF6 IEC 60376

IEC 60376 Solvay Fluor

Specification Specification
in ppm (mass) in ppm (mass)

Air 2,000 (1 Vol.-%) 50

CF4 2,400 10

25 0.65
Water
(Dew point -36 C) (Dew point -65 C)

Oil 10 1

Acidity HF 1 0.3

Hydr. Fluoride not specified 1

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SF6 Re-Use Specification IEC 60480

IEC 60480 Specification SF6 Re-use

for used SF6 Specification
(IEC 62271-303)

Air (N2, O2) < 3 Vol.% < (30 Vol.%)

CF4 < (5 Vol.%)

Water (Dew point at pa 1 bar -23 C) < 1,000 ppmm

(Dew point at pa 1bar -36 C)

Oil < 10 ppmm < 1,000 ppmm

HF < (50 Vol.-ppm) < 1,000 ppmm

(12 Vol.-ppm S02 und SOF2 / 25 ppm HF)

Regenerating at the SF6 producer

Use and handling of SF6 IEC 62271-303

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Decomposition products Decomposition
products

During arc quenching, the SF6-gas can react with

the electrodes or the surface materials of the
internal components.
SF6 decomposition
Metal fluorides

Decomposition products
gaseous decomposition products
(smell of rotten eggs)
solid decomposition products
(particles or grey dust)

Solid decomposition products

How to remove decomposition products ? Decomposition

products
How to remove moisture?

Solid with particle filters in the pre-filter

unit and the particle filter in the
decomposition service cart with dry vacuum
products cleaner (dust class H).

Gaseous with filters in the gas

decomposition compartment and with the
products filters in the service device.

Dry filter Particle filter

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Storage of SF6 Storage

Pressurized in steel cylinders

Cool and well-ventilated places
Storing away from direct sunlight,
Storage temperature < 50 C according TRG 310, section 3.3
Keep away from heat and flames
Secure the cylinder from overturning and rolling away

Transportation of New and Used SF6 Transportation

New SF6 Used SF6

SF6-Re-use Cylinders

Different wall thickness (TRG) and bottle connections (Typ A, DIN 477)

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Label for new SF6 Labelling

Label for used SF6 Labelling

H280 Contains gas under pressure;

may explode if heated

P410 Storing away from direct sunlight

P403 Store at cool and well ventilated

places

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Different valves for new and used SF6 Valves

New SF6 Used SF6

Nr.: 6 Nr.: 8
W21,8 x 1/14 1

Different materials and threads (Typ A, DIN 477)

Compressed gas cylinders and containers Repeated tests

Gas cylinders New gas every 10 years Hydrostatic test ??

(5 40 kg)

Containers New gas every 10 years Hydrostatic test ??

(600 kg)

Containers Re-Use every 5 years Hydrostatic test ??

(40 kg and 600 kg) gas

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 Assessment of the used SF6 product Assessment
or waste

Gas Analysis
On site Lab/Manufacturer
or Gas Manufacturer

Compliant with
Compliant with Non-compliant with
IEC 60480
IEC TR 62271-303 IEC TR 62271-303
(DIN EN 60480)

Suitable for reuse on site: Suitable for re-use at the gas It has to be disposed according
Used SF6 complying with the manufacturer: to local or international
maximum acceptable 3 impurity Used SF6 suitable for re-use at regulation on waste
level according to IEC 60480 the gas manufacturers: management

Product Product Waste...

SF6-gas information

The End