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Title: Influence of O{sub 2} on the dielectric properties of CO{sub 2} at the elevated temperatures

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4902514· OSTI ID:22403257
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  1. State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Shaanxi 710049 (China)

SF{sub 6} gas is widely used in the high voltage circuit breakers but considering its high global warming potential other substitutes are being sought. Among them CO{sub 2} was investigated and even has been used in some practical products. However, at room temperature, the dielectric properties of CO{sub 2} are relatively lower than SF{sub 6} and air. The goal of this work is to investigate a CO{sub 2}-based gas to improve the performance of the pure CO{sub 2}. In this paper, the dielectric properties of hot CO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} mixtures related to the dielectric recovery phase of the circuit breaker were investigated in the temperature range from 300 K to 4000 K and in the pressure range from 0.01 MPa to 1.0 MPa. The species compositions of hot CO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} were obtained based on Gibbs free energy minimization under the assumptions of local thermodynamic equilibrium and local chemical equilibrium. The reduced critical electric field strength of CO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} was determined by balancing electron generation and loss. These were calculated using the electron energy distribution function by solving the Boltzmann transport equation. The validity of the calculation method and the cross sections data was confirmed by comparing the measurements and calculations of the electron swarm data in previous work. The results indicate that in pure CO{sub 2} the critical electric field strength is higher only in higher temperature range. By adding the O{sub 2} into the CO{sub 2}, the critical electric field strength at lower temperature is effectively enhanced. CO{sub 2}/O{sub 2} mixtures have a much better dielectric strength than both the pure CO{sub 2} and air and thus have the potential to improve the CO{sub 2}-based gas circuit breakers. Similar conclusions can also be found in others’ work, which further confirm the validity of these results.

OSTI ID:
22403257
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 21, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English