Decomposition mechanism of environmentally friendly insulating medium HFO1234zeE/N2 gas mixture under partial discharge

Abstract

Abstract Hydrofluoroolefin HFO1234zeE (trans‐1,3,3,3‐tetrafluoroprop‐1‐ene) is an environmentally friendly gas insulating medium that has the potential to replace SF6. To clarify the decomposition paths and products of an HFO1234zeE/N2 gas mixture under partial discharge, the decomposition mechanism is explored with density functional theory. The results indicate that only HFO1234zeE molecules decompose in the range of low‐temperature plasma, and electrons with different energies interact with molecules and cause them to decompose through different paths. Then, products are generated by free radical recombination, addition reactions and internal configurational conversions of the molecule. An experimental investigation of decomposition of the HFO1234zeE/N2 gas mixture with different discharge modes is carried out, and it is found that the products calculated with density functional theory are consistent with those seen experimentally. The results show the decomposition mechanism of the insulating gas under partial discharge and provide a theoretical basis for the application of HFO1234zeE.