Diffusional Behavior of New Insulating Gas Mixtures as Alternatives to the SF<sub>6</sub>-Use in Medium Voltage Switchgear

Ane Espinazo; José Ignacio Lombraña; Estibaliz Asua; Beñat Pereda-Ayo; María Luz Alonso; Rosa María Alonso; Leire Cayero; Jesús Izcara; Josu Izagirre

doi:10.3390/app12031436

Applied Sciences (Jan 2022)

Diffusional Behavior of New Insulating Gas Mixtures as Alternatives to the SF<sub>6</sub>-Use in Medium Voltage Switchgear

Ane Espinazo,
José Ignacio Lombraña,
Estibaliz Asua,
Beñat Pereda-Ayo,
María Luz Alonso,
Rosa María Alonso,
Leire Cayero,
Jesús Izcara,
Josu Izagirre

Affiliations

Ane Espinazo: Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
José Ignacio Lombraña: Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Estibaliz Asua: Electricity and Electronics Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Beñat Pereda-Ayo: Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
María Luz Alonso: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Rosa María Alonso: Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Leire Cayero: Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Jesús Izcara: Ormazabal Corporate Technology, Parque Empresarial Boroa, Parcela 24, 48340 Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain
Josu Izagirre: Ormazabal Corporate Technology, Parque Empresarial Boroa, Parcela 24, 48340 Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031436
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 3
p. 1436

Abstract

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Regarding the use of SF6 in medium voltage switchgear (MVS), a review of alternatives was encouraged by the European Parliament in Regulation No 517/2014. This is aimed at a new regulatory change, that is expected soon, which will include its prohibition, similar to what has happened with other fluorinated greenhouse gases in other fields, like refrigeration. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the physical and chemical properties of alternative gas mixtures to determine if they are suitable to replace SF6. In this context, this work addresses the difusional analysis of new gases. Binary and ternary mixtures made of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (C3F4H2) and heptafluoroisopropyl trifluoromethyl ketone (C5F10O), using dry air as a carrier gas, were studied. The mixtures were analyzed using original equipment, composed of UV-Vis spectroscopy technology in a sealed gas chamber, which is similar to MVS. Consequently, an experimental equipment that monitors the concentration of a gas mixture online and a model that predicts the mixing process were designed and tested. The concentration profiles were obtained concerning both the time and position in the gas chamber, and the diffusional and convectional parameters were numerically calculated and optimized in an algorithm created in Scilab.

Published in Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2076-3417 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); Science: Biology (General); Science: Physics; Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

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