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SOF/sub 4/ production in spark breakdown of SF/sub 6//O/sub 2/ mixtures

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6541563

Data are reported on the production of thionyl-tetrafluoride (SOF/sub 4/) after spark discharges in SF/sub 6//O/sub 2/ mixtures for added oxygen contents of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20%. All measurements were made for fixed total pressure, P = 133 kPa (1,000 Torr) and for spark energy of 8.7 J per spark. The SOF/sub 4/ by-product increases with increasing O/sub 2/ content and becomes the most abundant oxyfluoride decomposition product when (O/sub 2/) > 11%. The net yields for SOF/sub 4/ formation range from 0.18 x 10/sup -9/ mol . J/sup -1/ at 1% O/sub 2/ content to 10.45 x 10/sup -9/ mol . J/sup -1/ at 20% O/sub 2/ content. The mechanism for SOF/sub 4/ production appears to involve the reaction of SF/sub 4/, an important initial product of SF/sub 6/ discharges, with atomic oxygen. A simple model which includes a fluorine depletion reaction resulting from oxygen addition gives good agreement with the SOF/sub 4/ yield dependence on oxygen content. Comparison of the SOF/sub 4/ spark yield with other discharges (arc and corona) is also made.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6541563
Report Number(s):
CONF-870516-8; ON: DE87009685
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English