SF6
Special Gas
product details
Sulphur hexafluoride is a colourless and odourless gas. It is manufactured by direct fluorination of pure (elemental) sulphur, generally by companies who produce fluorine for other purposes such as the production of fluorocarbons. Recommended regulator – W019141 or W019241.
application
Widely used as a leak detection gas and as an insulating medium in circuit breakers, switch gear, power substations and gas insulated transmission lines. Other applications include: as a plasma etching gas; as a filling gas in double glazing; as a carrier gas in laboratories; and for medical purposes.
features and benefits
As sulphur hexafluoride is both inert and considerably denser than air, it is suitable for blanketing open baths of certain molten metals, particularly magnesium.
Hazard
- Asphyxiant at high concentrations
- Environmental Hazard, Contributes greatly to global warming due to fact that it has a very high GWP
Around 80% of the SF6 used globally is in electricity transmission and distribution.2 Medium- and high-voltage electrical equipment contains SF6 to insulate the live electrical parts and to switch the flow of electrical current on and off. This same equipment is also used to connect the generation and storage of renewable energy.
Renewable technology also uses the gas – for example, switchgear for wind turbines use it to prevent overloads.
In electronics, SF6 is used in semiconductor devices found in computers, smartphones, consoles and batteries for electric vehicles.
Electrical equipment is designed to avoid the release of this gas into the atmosphere, but leaks can occur over its lifecycle. SF6 can also be released during the equipment’s manufacture, installation, maintenance or decommissioning.