Present and future environmental ``problems`` with SF{sub 6} and other fluorinated gases

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:419800

Brunt, R.J. Van ^[1]

---

1. National Inst. of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (United States)

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF{sub 6}) is widely used as an insulating and arc interrupting gas in high-voltage systems and has found application in plasma processing of materials. However, SF{sub 6} is known to decompose in electrical discharges to form toxic and corrosive gaseous compounds such as SOF{sub 4}, SOF{sub 2}, SO{sub 2}F{sub 2}, and HF. Of particular concern are the species S{sub 2}F{sub 10} and S{sub 2}O{sub 2}F{sub 10} that are known to be highly toxic and to be formed in corona, spark, and arc discharges in high-pressure SF{sub 6}. The conditions under which these byproducts are formed, the methods for removal, and the possible hazards that they present are reviewed. Sulfur hexafluoride is also an efficient absorber of infrared radiation and is estimated to have a global warning potential that is 2.5 {times} 10{sup 4} times greater than that of CO{sub 2}. Methods that have been proposed to control the use of SF{sub 6} and reduce the rate of its release into the atmosphere will be examined. The advantages, disadvantages, and likely problems with finding technically feasible and environmentally acceptable replacements for SF{sub 6} will be discussed.

• OSTI ID: 419800
• Report Number(s): CONF-960634--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
DECOMPOSITION
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
POWER SYSTEMS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
USES