Effect of a solid insulator on the spark yield of S{sub 2}F{sub 10} in SF{sub 6}*

Conference · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10189307

Sauers, I; Mahajan, S M; Cacheiro, R A

Because of its toxicity S{sub 2}F{sub 10} production in SF{sub 6} discharges has been the focus of intensive study in recent years. In previous work we have examined the yield of S{sub 2}F{sub 10} for corona, spark and arc discharges and, in sparks, the effects of water and oxygen have been studied systematically. Here we report the influence of an insulating solid spacer on the production of S{sub 2}F{sub 10} in SF{sub 6} when subjected to spark discharges in the energy range 1.6--43 J/spark at a gas pressure of 1 atm. Analyses of the sparked gases were performed using a cryogenic enrichment gas chromatography technique with a sensitivity of less than 10 ppb (parts-per-billion) or 1 in 10{sup 8}. With this sensitivity S{sub 2}F{sub 10} can be detected after one or just a few spark(s), minimizing secondary effects of gas contamination, electrode erosion and insulator damage that can influence S{sub 2}F{sub 10} production and make quantitative yield determinations difficult to establish. For these studies Teflon was used as the spacer sandwiched between two stainless steel electrodes. Energy measurements were made after recording the voltage and current waveforms. The amount of S{sub 2}F{sub 10} produced per unit energy deposited into the discharge was found to be greater in the presence of the spacer than for a purely gas gap. Factors which influence S{sub 2}F{sub 10} stability such as surfaces and water will also be discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 10189307
• Report Number(s): CONF-940671--1; ON: DE95001422; CRN: C/ORNL--90-0002
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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