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Kcal SF F S: Physical Properties
Kcal SF F S: Physical Properties
You can see therefore that this reaction is accompanied by an important release of heat.
This approximately similar to coal combustion.
Given that the energy released during synthesis is the same as is needed in order to dissociate
the final element, it can immediately be seen that:
% SF6 and 21 % oxygen will not only remain alive but will show no signs of abnormal
behavior.
Man dies when the oxygen level of the gas he is breathing falls below 12 %.
Precautions and hygiene
The first recommendation is not to smoke when SF6 gas is around. The heat given off by the
cigarette may decompose the gas. Your cigarette would then take on a very strange taste also
avoid operating combustion engines in this gas.
When the work positions are indoors, have ventilation and / or a system for detecting this
halogen placed at the lowest points of the installations.
Remember that SF6 is a very heavy gas. This device will warn you any gas leaks.
Post-breaking state
As we seen at the beginning of this Chapter, the heat from the arc modifies the SF6.This creates
gaseous and solid decomposition products.
It is these products that need to be spoken about. Certain of these gases are medically defined as
being violent irritants of the mucous membranes and of the lungs. In extreme cases, they may
cause pulmonary edema.
The solid decomposition products (whitish powder) an aggressive when the react with the
humidity of the mucous membranes and of the hands.
Following this rather unpleasant description of the SF6 after breaking we may reassure
ourselves on two counts:
- For reasons of quantity
- For reasons of probability.
Quantity.
The volume of decomposed is microscopic. This means that dangerous thresholds are rarely
reached, thanks in part to the molecular sieve which regenerates the decomposition products to
form pure SF6. This sieve is present in all extinguishing chambers. Regeneration time is short,
but depends on the number of ampere being broken.
The presence of hydrogen sulphide, noticeable through its sickening smell, makes an excellent
alarm signal. The smell detection threshold is ten times lower than the toxic threshold (1 ppm is
detected by smell).
Probability.
In normal operation, electric Switchgear using SF6 has a leak rate guaranteed to be less than 1
% of the mass per year. This makes any danger impossible in normal operation.
The abnormal situation is the risk of an appliance exploding. This is fortunately extremely
infrequent. And if by chance such an incident accrued, the putrid smell would make us aware of
it immediately.
Precaution and hygiene.
If you were to find yourself in contact with decomposed SF6 gas, you must leave your post and
ensure that the gas is eliminated by means of powerful ventilation.
Once the polluted gas has disappeared (when the smell becomes bearable) you are still in
contact with solid decomposition products.
Operations on the equipment must be carried out with a gas mask, gloves and appropriate
clothing. All this - together with the powders themselves - shall be sent to a factory for dealing
Conclusion
It is important to point out that sulfur hexafluoride does not bring about an increase in the risks
entailed in the work stations. This lack of specific danger is furthermore confirmed by the fact
that we have not had to record any accident since 1960, the year in which SF6 was first used as
a breaking agent. As a matter of interest SF6 does not harm the ozone layer. This is partly due
to its weight.
- SF6 has two states of conduction, and appearance of the resistive arc will bring about a fall in
the intensity, and thus its temperature,
- SF6, as we have seen in its physical properties, is a gas which Absorbs large quantities of
energy when it dissociates.
The blow out of the arc will thus (mean) evacuate a large quantity of energy.
This lowering of temperature will make the ionic recombination of the bodies and the dielectric
will recover its insulating properties which thus ensure interruption of the current.
Lastly the hydrofluoric acids attack all metals giving metallic fluorides which are all very
hydroscopic insulating powders.
Fig (2) SF6 absolute pressure versus temperature with constant volume mass
(density)
Sf6 gas:
SF6 is used in the electrical industry as a gaseous dielectric medium for high-voltage
circuit breakers, switchgear, and other electrical equipment, often replacing oil filled
circuit breakers (OCBs) that can contain harmful PCBs. SF6 gas under pressure is
used as an insulator in gas insulated switchgear (GIS) because it has a much higher
dielectric strength than air or dry nitrogen. This property makes it possible to
significantly reduce the size of electrical gear. This makes GIS more suitable for
certain purposes such as indoor placement, as opposed to air-insulated electrical
gear, which takes up considerably more room. Gas-insulated electrical gear is also
more resistant to the effects of pollution and climate, as well as being more reliable
in long-term operation because of its controlled operating environment. Although
most of the decomposition products tend to quickly re-form SF 6, arcing or corona
can produce disulfur decafluoride (S2F10), a highly toxic gas, with toxicity similar to
phosgene. S2F10 was considered a potential chemical warfare agent in World War II
because it does not produce lacrimation or skin irritation, thus providing little
warning of exposure.
SF6 is also commonly encountered as a high voltage dielectric