SF6 Capture & Leakage Repair

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 May 2012

01 January 2015

34 months

£130,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

The projects objectives are in line with the tasks: Produce a retrofit solution for SF6 Capture on HV switchgear Identify a methodology for sealing SF6 leaks on HV switchgear Identify a methodology for Gas cleansing Identify a methodology and develop a quality standard for SF6 re-use Identify a methodology for interpretation of contaminates of SF6 gas Develop a solution that seals SF6 leaks on HV switchgear Develop a solution for Gas Cleansing Develop a solution for SF6 gas re-use Develop a solution for interpretation of contaminates in SF6 gas The project will be successful if National Grid: Produce a retrofit solution for SF6 Capture on HV switchgear Identify a methodology for sealing SF6 leaks on HV switchgear Identify a methodology for Gas cleansing Identify a methodology and develop a quality standard for SF6 re-use Identify a methodology for interpretation of contaminates of SF6 gas Develop a solution that seals SF6 leaks on HV switchgear Develop a solution for Gas Cleansing Develop a solution for SF6 gas re-use Develop a solution for interpretation of contaminates in SF6 gas Develop business implementation documents for all developed solutions

National Grid use an electrically insulating gas called SF6 (Sulphur Hexafluoride) as a key element of certain types of High Voltage Switchgear known as GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear). SF6 has the task of stopping the arc created by two pistons moving apart in order to clear a fault or open a circuit. It does this by being forced, at pressure, between the interrupters and stopping electricity jumping from one interrupter to the other. It is able to do this as it has high electrical insulating properties. The problem that National Grid faces, is that SF6 gas is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential of 23,900 times that of CO2. The current, and international standards for new switchgear allow for a small percentage of leakage, however much of the older equipment does not meet these standards. National Grid is therefore developing a methodology for the effective capture of SF6 gas, and then subsequent leak repair. There is currently no methodology that does this, available to National Grid. Research & Development National Grid are undertaking a programme of work that has tasks in the following areas: SF6 Gas Capture GIS Leakage RepairSF6 Cleansing & Re-useSF6 Data Collection & Interpretation The Gas Capture task will identify a methodology that is rapidly deployed and retro-fitted to an existing GIS Circuit Breaker around a leaking area. This will then capture and contain any SF6 that is leaked and prevent the gas being vented to atmosphere. The GIS Leakage Repair task will try to identify a methodology that enables the Circuit Breaker to be effectively repaired while there is still pressurised SF6 contained within the Circuit Breaker. If unsuccessful, National Grid will find a methodology of sealing the SF6 leak when the tank has been de-pressurised and the Gas is stored in a safe container. The SF6 Cleansing & Re-use task will identify a methodology that enables SF6 to be separated from the particulates generated in circuit opening, and also a methodology for separating the SF6 gas from the gaseous by-products, such as S2F10 (Disulphur decafluoride), and then identify how National Grid can re-use the SF6 in the Circuit Breaker as opposed to sending it to be destroyed. The SF6 Data Collection and Interpretation task involves a cross over with the above task - Cleansing & Re-use. In this workstream, National Grid will use the current condition monitoring platform available in National Grid to visualise the gas contaminate data, and assist in building a picture of the health of the asset, based on the composition of the gas being analysed and recycled.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

11/12/18