Increasing Capacity to Central Tokyo

Tokyo Electric expands delivery with the use of large gas-insulated

transformers.
Hiroyuki Nakajima, Tokyo Electric Power Co. | Oct 01, 2014

Since the 1970s, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has been extending its extra-high-voltage
(EHV) transmission network in the center of Tokyo, Japan, to supply the increasing power
demand. From the inner and outer circle of bulk power transmission systems that surround
Tokyo, many of the 275-kV and some of the 500-kV power cable circuits are installed in the
city’s metropolitan areas. The majority of the EHV substations in these areas are located in the
basement of buildings to maintain environmental harmony with the adjacent streets.

The practice of installing underground substations also is a business decision providing an

effective use of the city’s land. It minimizes the long-term loss of tenant income to the property
owners that would occur if the substation was sited at ground level. Alternatively, there are
instances within the city where a redevelopment project leads to the need to replace an existing
underground substation with a larger-capacity substation to supply the increased demand for
power.

In the construction of an underground substation in dense urban areas, the most important
consideration is disaster prevention. Another consideration is decreasing the floor-to-ceiling
height of the underground substation, which can reduce the total cost of construction
significantly. In these situations, the installation of large-capacity gas-insulated transformers
(GITs) in underground substations is a key factor. Apart from the reduction in total
construction costs, underground substations with GITs are designed to provide a reliable level
of disaster prevention and a stable electric power supply to the city.
 The
configuration of the 275-kV and 500-kV transmission system that supplies power to Tokyo.

Features and Advantages

The large-capacity GITs are designed with high gas pressures (0.53 MPa-g [77 psi-g]) to
improve the insulation and cooling capacity. However, GITs with a capacity not exceeding 100
MVA use comparatively low gas pressures (0.12 MPa-g [17 psi-g]).

The GIT’s core and winding consist of a simple structure similar to that used in conventional
oil-immersed transformers. The core and winding are cooled and insulated by high-pressure
SF6 gas. Taken from the lower side of the tank, the gas cools the core and winding, is collected
in the upper part of the tank and is returned to the radiator and cooled. The transformer has a
disc-type winding, and the internal gas flows in a zigzag line by the gas stop collar. An excellent
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which is relatively heat-proof when compared with the
insulating paper, is applied to the stranded winding insulation.
 The
schematic structure of a 275-kV, 300-MVA GIT.
 The
winding structure of a 275-kV, 300-MVA GIT.
Large-capacity GITs have several advantages:

• Only nonflammable materials are used; hence, there is no need for special firefighting
facilities in the substation.

• GITs have excellent nonexplosive performance. In the event of an internal failure, the design
and structure enclosing the compressible gas are superior to that used in the design of oil-
immersed transformers. Therefore, nonflammable and nonexplosive characteristics make GITs
the safest large transformers.

• Unlike oil-immersed transformers, GITs are a conservator-free structure, reducing the overall
height of the transformers. In practice, this results in a 2-m to 2.5-m (6.5-ft to 8.2-ft) reduction
in the height of the transformer chambers. Also, it is not necessary to install an oil basin or
bung under the transformer. In addition to reducing the substation construction costs because
of the lower height and smaller area required for the transformer chambers, there is no
potential hazard from oil spills.

• GITs can be installed together with gas-insulated switchgear in the same room because
similar SF6 gas pressures are used in these components. This can provide high compactness
and flexibility in the design layout of the substation.

•Gas-insulated on-load tap changers (OLTCs) with vacuum interrupters are used on GITs. This
also contributes to the nonflammable characteristic of GITs and makes maintenance work
easy. Moreover, the installation of large GITs in suburban areas with mountainous districts
and in environmental protection areas has removed the anxiety of oil spills. Substations
equipped with GITs have been positioned to supply railway and private organizations.
 Example of
substation layout with a direct connection to GIS.

TEPCO’s Experience

TEPCO has been installing large-capacity GITs and gas-insulated reactors for underground
EHV substations in the Tokyo metropolitan area since 1989. TEPCO’s operational experience
associated with GITs now totals 172 years, based on the number of GITs and days in service,
without a major failure.

In the construction of underground substations, the large-capacity GIT is an indispensable

technology combining safety and compactness while significantly reducing the cost of
constructing a substation. Because of all the advantages GITs provide, they are regarded as a
key component of underground substations in central Tokyo. TEPCO is now constructing a
large number of underground substations with GITs.
Future Outlook

GITs are planned for renewal projects in urban area locations where aging transformers at
EHV substations are being replaced. The large-capacity shunt reactor with capacities ranging
from 150 MVAR to 200 MVAR can be manufactured using the same technology. Therefore,
nonflammable, nonexplosive and compact gas-insulated substations are realized by a
combination of gas-insulated components.

As a result, the reliable power supply now installed in the city center of Tokyo city is secured.
Gas-insulated technology can be used for uprating voltage and capacity projects because the
development of GITs will continue to be lighter and more compact compared with existing
designs of oil-immersed transformers.
TEPCO is technically supporting the plan and practice to install underground substations
equipped with GITs. This decision is based on the utility’s operational experience of these units
and the benefits offered in terms of compactness, inherent safety and cost savings attributable
to the reduced cost of construction and maintenance.
A dielectric gas or insulating gas, is a dielectric material in gaseous state. Some examples of insulating gases are
Sulfur hexafluoride, Nitrogen, Air, Ammonia, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulfide, Oxygen,
Chlorine, Hydrogen, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrous oxide, 1,2-Dichlorotetrafluoroethane(R-114), Dichlorodifluoromethane(R-
12), Trifluoromethane, 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoropropane (R-236fa), Carbon tetrafluoride (R-14), Hexafluoroethane (R-
116), 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane(R-134a), Perfluoropropane (R-218), Octafluorocyclobutane(R-C318),
Perfluorobutane (R-3-1-10), 30% SF6/70% air, Helium, Neon, Argon and it’s combination. Depending on the
particular function of the gas-insulated equipment, the selection and properties of gas are significant vary. Its main
purpose is to prevent or rapidly quench electric discharges. For practical application, a good dielectric gas should
have high dielectric strength, good heat transfer properties, high thermal stability and chemical inertness against the
construction materials used, non-flammability, non-explosive, low toxicity, low boiling point and low cost. Dielectric
gases are used as electrical insulators & cooling medium in high voltage applications, e.g. transformers (distribution
and power range), high voltage switchgear. Present most frequently used insulation gasses are sulfur hexafluoride
and nitrogen.

DESIGN CONCEPTS OF SF GIT

6
GIT are classified into two types based on the tank design pressure. They are low gas pressure type and high gas
pressure type. Insulating and cooling capacity of SF6 gas depends on SF6 gas pressure. That is, the higher the gas
pressure, the better the insulating and cooling characteristics. But higher pressure may not be efficient due to the
high resisting strengths of tank and cooler, which will increase the weight and manufacturing cost. Therefore, the
rated pressure should be chosen carefully considering the rated voltage, power capacity, temperature rise and
economical efficiency.

High pressure GIT has following characteristics over low pressure GIT:

1. The gas pressure is higher than conventional GIT (low gas pressure type) to improve the insulation and
cooling performance.
2. Better insulation capability yields lower clearances and a more compact design; hence no need to
reinforce or modify the existing foundation.
3. The tank is a pressure vessel with cylindrical shape; hence the weight is lighter compared with that of
rectangle shape (conventional low pressure type).

Tank Design For structural design of a transformer, the tank strength under working pressure is very important.
Since the pressure of the ransformer, the structural trength evaluation using f shown in Fig. 14. Hydro ressure test
using 1.5 times working pressure was conducted by IEC 60517, and it has been shown that the designed
transformer has good structural integrity even under the internal pressure increase caused by an internal fault
during operation.

The future trends of gas insulated transformers are to be towards the development of underground substation
application i.e. Gas Insulated Switchgear.

GITs are also expected to find wider application outdoors beyond conventional underground substations. In such
sites as hydro power stations from which leaks of insulation oil might have a great effect on water resources, as the
importance of giving consideration to environment grows, demand to replace oil-filled transformers with gas
insulated models in likely to rise.

A gas-insulated transformer is a transformer whose magnetic circuit and windings are enclosed with an insulating
gas. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is generally used. Such a transformer is sometimes referred to as a gas-insulated
(GIS) transformer.
Abstract: SF6 gas transformer (GIT) classification, the GIT with the traditional oil-immersed
transformer characteristics were compared, in his discussion of the advantages of GIT on the
basis of the last of the GIT in our application.
Keywords: GIT; development; advantage; application prospects
At present, the transformer primary to the development of two aspects: first, to the
development of large high pressure area, the other is the energy-saving, small size, low noise,
high impedance, explosion-proof development. The former are generally used in large power
station or power transmission, the latter, mainly in small and medium sized products. With
China\\ s urbanization, large urban population is more dense, high-rise buildings everywhere,
electricity consumption increased dramatically, an increasing number of transformers, the
traditional large-capacity oil-immersed transformer oil, once the fire due to failure, will rise
construction and people\\ s lives and property posed a serious threat. Therefore, it was non-
flammable transformer is also increasing emphasis on research and application. Non-
combustible insulation transformer according to the different media can be divided into silicon
transformer, cast resin transformers, complex and sensitive insulating liquid dielectric
transformers, SF6 gas insulated transformers (gas-insulatedtransformer, GIT), which GIT its
unique advantages by the people concern, since the since the 1960s in Japan, Europe,
application and development more widely.

1 GIT classification

GIT according to their different cooling medium can be divided into gas-insulated, gas cooling
and gas-insulated, liquid-cooled two types. Capacity less than 60MVA of GIT, its heat loss is
small, generally use SF6 gas cooling of cooling method, this type of GIT with the traditional oil-
immersed transformers in the structure there are many similarities in the design can learn
from. And volumes greater than 60MVA of the GIT, most of the liquid (C8F16O or C8F18)
cooling and SF6 gas-insulated separate structure, the structure of these products and oil-
immersed transformers are very different, usually layered cooling, foil winding of the GIT.

2 GIT compared with ordinary oil-immersed transformer

Medium to large capacity transformers are essentially oil-immersed transformer. As cities

increase in electricity load and concentration, increasing the number of substations,
transformer capacity and a corresponding increase in the number. In this process, some parts
of oil-filled transformers have been gradually replaced by GIT. GIT compared with
conventional oil-immersed transformers, the fundamental difference is that GIT uses SF6 gas
for insulation and cooling, and thus both the structural characteristics of both the similarities,
but also somewhat different.
For the GIT, the greater the pressure tank, the cooling features and the better the insulation.
But the high pressure of the transformer while the body strength to withstand the pressure of
higher demands, this will increase the weight and shape of the transformer requirements.

In the cooling system, GIT and oil-immersed transformer primary difference is the cooling
medium and cooling treatment differences. GIT using SP6 or C8F16O as a cooling medium,
and oil-immersed transformer is used transformer oil as a cooling medium. Three kinds of
physical properties of the cooling medium to C8F16O features the best in its small viscosity,
heat a large, and the boiling point close to the body of the transformer operating temperature,
high heat of vaporization, and thus the cooling effect Ye Hao. In order to obtain the same with
oil-immersed transformer cooling characteristics, GIT using the air compressor, and its
circulation rate than forced oil cooling type oil-immersed transformer several times the cycle
rate is high. On the other hand, a number of small auto-cooled GIT has also been widely used.
In China, a noise-free either natural cooling process can also be compulsory dual-mode air-
cooled type of the GIT has also been put into use.

In the insulation structure, according to different operating voltage and capacity, GIT use a
variety of foil pie winding and winding. Between high and low voltage windings, winding
insulation to ground insulation between the main strength is mainly determined by the
dielectric strength of SF6 gas, and uniformity of the electric field SF6 highly dependent, so the
design must be strictly controlled in the gas in the electric field strength. In insulating
materials, oil-immersed transformer insulation paper used, GIT is used with high mechanical
strength and insulation of high airtight plastic film as a copper wire insulated cloth.

Protection, GIT removed gas relay, the relay installed and gas equivalent to the sudden
pressure relay, the relay measures the rate of increase of gas pressure in order to determine the
occurrence of internal faults and gives a trip signal. Since the GIT gas capacity is large, unless
the fault energy is very large and very long time to failure, internal failure caused by body
pressure will not rise to the danger, therefore, GIT does not need to install some oil-immersed
transformer pressure relief devices.

Oil-immersed transformer oil in a pillow, its role is when the transformer oil volume change
with temperature when the oil reservoir and fill to ensure the fuel tank filled with oil. GIT is not
such a monster SF6 gas will expand and contract with temperature changes, but these changes
in volume directly into a pressure change, which does not require an additional oil pillow, thus
reducing the height and area of ??the transformer costs, and eliminate moisture due to
breathing silica replacement transformer is not in a timely manner may cause damp problems,
improve safety and reliability.

GIT using SF6 gas insulated vacuum-load tap, switch it off using a vacuum load switch current
institutions, and the use of roller-type contact system and non-lubricated bearings, to prevent
decomposition of the SF6 gas arc caused by the transformer body effects. Oil-immersed
transformers in the transformer oil cut off the current, and the use of sliding contact.

3GIT advantage

And compared with ordinary oil-immersed transformer, GIT has the following advantages:

3.1 insulation and cooling effect

SF6 has a good electrical properties, mainly in the arc goes out of its insulating properties and
characteristics. As the negative charge of SF6 (ie, the adsorption capacity of the electron), it has
excellent dielectric insulation properties. In the uniform electric field, SF6 insulation strength
is about 2.5 times the air; When the gas pressure of 0.2MPa when, SF6 gas insulating oil
dielectric strength and quite. Extinguish the arc at the same time and instantaneous SF6
discharge temperature range (1500 ~ 5000K) has excellent heat transfer characteristics. So,
GIT has a very good insulation properties and cooling effects.

3.2 is not flammable

SF6 gas is inert gas, colored, odorless, non-toxic and non-flammable, and its molecular
structure is very stable at room temperature, it will not come into contact with the material and
chemical changes, which greatly simplifies the configuration of fire fighting facilities; When the
GIT and GIS (gasinsulatedswitchgear) combined, the entire gas-insulated substation in the
environment, thus enhancing the entire substation is not easy flammable. In terms of proof,
when the transformer arcing occurs when increased pressure within the SF6 gas volume will be
offset by changes, so do not need additional pressure relief devices GIT.

3.3 easy to install, flexible layout

GIT at the factory fully assembled, SF6 gas is injected into them, at the installation site without
vacuum, and SF6 gas from the tank directly to the transformer tank, basically do not need any
tools, so clean when loading quickly. Also, because the density of SF6 gas insulating oil density
is only 1 / 60, and the viscosity is low, so in cooling the pressure drop is very small, so the
cooler can be installed level, from the transformer can be mounted vertically, so that it layout is
quite flexible

3.4 simple, lightweight

GIT pillow and do not need the oil pressure relief devices such attachments without the wall,
while SF6 gas density and more dense than the transformer oil, which seems simple,
lightweight.

3.5 low noise

SF6 gas density than the density of transformer oil, sounds transmitted through the slow,
intermediate core sound rarely reached the tank, so, GIT-noise ratio produced by oil-immersed
transformer is smaller.

3.6 is easy to maintain inspection

The same environment, SF6 gas than oil-immersed transformer transformer oil consumption
is much slower. GIT without the use of live-load tap changer oil filter, but also reduces the oil
pressure relief pillow and equipment, to bring the convenience of maintenance and inspection.

3.7 covers an area of ??less

GIT its simple structure, light, reduced height, the corresponding underground substation roof
also reduced, and without the wall, a small installation area, the entire space has been fully
utilized, greatly reduces the capital cost of substation . Especially when used in conjunction
with GIS GIT, these advantages become more pronounced.

4GIT prospects of application in China

Compared with ordinary oil-immersed transformer, GIT advantage of self-evident, therefore,

its application prospects should be very attractive. GIT has been more widely used in Japan,
but in our present application is still limited. Although as early as 1988, China\\ s high-voltage
electrical appliances plant in Guangzhou, Beijing transformations, Changzhou Transformer
Factory have been developed, including Beijing and two changes have been small batch
production, in the last ten years have also introduced Japan\\ s Toshiba and Mitsubishi were
made 110kVGIT more than 20 units, but the total application is not very optimistic. GIT
application in China is limited mainly has the following disadvantages:

1) basically rely on imported and expensive;

2) 110kVGIT run over the internal pressure up to 180kPa;
3) SF6 gas transmission capacity than the transformer oil potential difference, in the case of
non-uniform electric field strength, dielectric strength will decline;
4) SF6 gas in the hot metal will be broken down a kind of very toxic SP4. The most uncertain
factor is the SF6 gas, which is a greenhouse gas, and its decomposition products toxic. If the
manufacturing process is not good, after the leak would be disastrous environmental
consequences. In today\\ s increasingly environmentally conscious, it also must be considered.
Therefore, many experts believe that in the domestic manufacturing process reach a certain
level should not promote the development of such a transformer in China.

For these reasons, GIT application in China are still in a kind of exploration and early stages,
only a few plants or engineering use. However, this does not mean GIT in the Chinese market
into a dead end, on the contrary, GIT application prospects in China are a lot of potential, but
also very broad.

First, according to the ratio of the transformer and power generation equipment demand
calculated by 1:11, \"15\" period, the estimated annual average installed capacity of 15600MW,
\"15\" average annual total transformer required 171600MVA. The \"15\" period, the small
transformer continues to energy saving, small size, low noise, high impedance, explosion-proof
development. In this case, the gas-insulated transformer (SF6 transformer) itself has certain
requirements.

The most important point, as mentioned earlier with the accelerated process of urbanization in
China, more and more urban high-rise buildings, while at the same time, the city\\ s surge in
demand for electricity, the existing 35kV and below the power supply voltage level facilities
have been difficult to meet the power requirements of load growth, 110kV power supply has
become a preferred regional cities program. Meanwhile, the people of the power supply
security, reliability, power quality and the increasingly high demand for urban environmental
protection, especially for fire, explosion, pollution prevention, and pay more attention to noise
reduction. Rapid growth in electricity distribution centers closer and closer to people\\ s
activity center, a large number of large transformers in the city center, safety is the first time,
while the general emergence of some oil-immersed transformer accidents, such as fire,
explosion, serious threatening people\\ s lives and property. In this case, people and
development of the GIT application corresponding to pay attention to it.

The greenhouse effect of SF6, the relevant parties to the impact of atmospheric SF6 was
investigated, that the whole man-made greenhouse effect of SF6 on the relative impact is
negligible, no effect on ozone depletion, as long as appropriate measures to recycle, can ensure
personal safety, the environment is concerned, SF6 is still the best insulation and arc-
quenching medium.

GIT structure design and manufacturing processes with traditional oil-filled transformers have
many similarities. Transformer plant without a lot of equipment can go into research and
development. We can note that at present some of China\\ s transformer manufacturers are
also actively developing GIT product introduction and technology. Such as change from
Baoding Tianwei Electric Co., Ltd., Japan\\ s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi
Electric (China) Co., Ltd. a joint venture established Baoding Transformer Co., Ltd. Paul Ling
full use of Tianwei change mature oil and core-type transformer advanced level of new rail
balance traction transformer technology, Mitsubishi has introduced the international advanced
level of SF6 gas-insulated transformers, shell-shell-type transformer and shunt reactor
technology to produce low noise, low power, low temperature rise, high resistance short circuit
capacity power products. Changzhou Toshiba Transformer Co., Ltd. in order to meet the needs
of building the capital, is also actively developing GIT, is expected to deliver projects to use in
2004. Similarly, in March 2003, Shunde Special Transformer Factory and Germany\\ s
Siemens (SIEMENS) also closed SF6 gas-insulated medium voltage switchgear technology
cooperation, and reached consensus and signed a technical cooperation agreement, authorize
the use of Siemens Shunde Special Transformer Factory technology for product manufacturing,
can be expected in the near future, from Shunde Special Transformer Factory-made with the
international advanced level of SF6 gas-insulated medium voltage enclosed switchgear will be
provided to the city network distribution system, will provide customers with high quality of
the GIT. Founded in 1991, Sino-US joint venture enterprise in Chongqing Transformer Co.,
Ltd. has introduced three rivers of the United States, Japan and other advanced transformer
manufacturing technology, the company also produces GIT. Through this series of facts, with
the \"15\" plan implementation and development of western development, GIT in the Chinese
market will be good, its application will also be more extensive.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SF6 GAS

What Is SF6? Sulphur hexafluoride.

SF6 is a gas that is used in electrical power equipment. It is colourless, odourless, non-flammable and chemically stable. This
means that at room temperature it does not react with any other substance. Stability comes from the symmetrical arrangement
of the six fluorine atoms around the central sulphur atom. And this stability is just what makes the gas useful in electric
equipment. SF6 is a very good electrical insulator and can effectively extinguish arcs, which makes high and medium voltage
apparatus filled with SF6 highly popular. SF6 can be found in millions of electric apparatus all over the world; electrical
equipment containing SF6 is a large export article.

SF6 is formed by a chemical reaction between molten sulphur and fluorine. Fluorine is obtained by the electrolysis of
hydrofluoric acid (HF). Pure SF6 is not poisonous. The gas is not dangerous to inhale, provided the oxygen content is high
enough. In principle you can inhale a mixture of 20% oxygen and 80% SF6 without danger. SF6 is about 6 times heavier than
air. That means that it may collect in cable ducts or at the bottom of tanks. The gas is not dangerous to inhale but if it does
accumulate where people work, there is a risk of suffocation due to the lack of oxygen. SF6 is a non-flammable gas that is
used in electrical apparatus. SF6 is not poisonous.

Where and How Is SF6 Used?

SF6 is used as an insulating gas in substations, as an insulating and cooling medium in transformers and as an insulating and
arc quenching medium in switchgear for high and medium voltage applications. These are all closed systems which are
extremely safe and unlikely to leak.

In electrical power systems, high and medium voltage switchgear is required to cut off the power in case of a fault, in order to
protect people and equipment. When power is switched, an electric arc strikes between the circuit-breaker contacts. Breakers
filled with SF6 are electrically insulating and effectively control arcing. Gas isolated substations are mainly found in urban
areas where you want them to take up as little room as possible and often integrate them into buildings. These substations
reduce the magnetic field and remove the electrical field completely. This is a real advantage for installers, maintenance
personnel and people who live in the vicinity of substations.

SF6 also is used in other ways. Mixed with argon, it can be used in insulated windows. SF6 is used in the metal industry, for
example, when casting magnesium. Eye surgeons use SF6 as a cooling agent in operations. SF6 can also be used as a fire
extinguishing agent because it is non-flammable and cooling. In electrical applications, SF6 is only used in sealed and safe
systems which under normal circumstances do not leak gas. SF6 is collected and recycled if a piece of equipment or a
substation needs to be opened.

What Is the Benefit of SF6?

There are two reasons for using SF6 in electrical equipment: SF6 provides extremely good electrical insulation and very
effectively quenches electric arcs. These properties of SF6 make it possible to build electrical equipment and apparatus that
are compact, use a small amount of material, are safe and will last a long time. At normal atmospheric pressure, SF6 has a
dielectric withstand capability that is 2.5 times better than air. Usually the gas is used at 3-5 times atmospheric pressure and
then the dielectric properties are ten times better than for air.

SF6 insulates so well because it is strongly electronegative. This means that the gas molecules catch free electrons and build
heavy negative ions, which do not move fast. This is effective against the creation of electron avalanches which may lead to
flashovers. SF6 effectively controls circuit-breaker arcs because it has excellent cooling properties at temperatures (1500-
5000 K) at which the arcs extinguish (the gas uses energy when it dissociates and therefore produces a cooling effect). High-
voltage switchgear with SF6 is in principle alone on the market and the volume of medium-voltage switchgear with SF6 is
large. Complete gas insulated substations, GIS or RMU, are used where space is restricted or the environment is severe.
They are virtually maintenance-free. Electrical equipment filled with SF6 has been in use for about 40 years and the service
experience is very good. SF6 has a very high dielectric withstand capability. SF6 effectively quenches arcs in circuit breakers.
SF6 apparatus is compact and almost maintenance-free. SF6 equipment is extremely safe in operation and for users.

Are there Any Alternatives to SF6?

High-voltage circuit breakers filled with SF6 are able to cope with higher unit voltage than any other technique. Therefore, SF6
circuit breakers require fewer breaking units in series than air or oil-filled breakers. SF6 circuit breakers for medium voltage
have considerable advantages compared to the alternatives. SF6 substations can be built as totally closed systems which
provide the highest levels of operational and user safety.

The designs require only little material; all SF6 apparatus are compact. Compared with electrical apparatus without SF6, the
environmental impact is low. Especially if you take into consideration every environmental impact “from the cradle to the
grave“, that is, from manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance all the way to final scrapping (when scrapping
equipment , all the SF6 is recovered). So SF6 has many important advantages while currently available alternatives represent
a return to older and inferior technology.

Without SF6, we would have a bigger impact on the environment as the alternatives require more space, are less safe and
affect the environment more for installers, service personnel and people who live in the area.
Compared to designs that do not use SF6, the impact on the environment is low. Without SF6, we would have a less safe
working environment for installation, operations and service personnel.

Is SF6 Dangerous?
Since SF6 came into use, nearly 50 years ago, a small amount of gas has leaked into the atmosphere. Currently there area
round 0.000´000´000´003 parts (by volume) of SF6 in the atmosphere. The stability of the gas means it will stay in the
atmosphere for a long time.

Some gases that are released destroy the ozone layer. Thinning of the ozone layer means that more ultraviolet light can get to
the ground, increasing the risk of skin cancer. The gases that affect the ozone layer all contain chlorine. SF6 does not contain
any chlorine and does not affect the ozone layer. The term “greenhouse effect“ is used to describe that the atmosphere is
slowly warming up due to man-made gas emissions. Some gas molecules in the atmosphere, principally carbon dioxide (CO2)
and methane (CH4) reflect long wave-length heat radiation from the earth so that heat remains trapped in the atmosphere
instead of disappearing into outer space.

The SF6 molecule is very reflective and contributes to the greenhouse effect. But the concentration of the gas is extremely low
(0.000´000´000´003 by volume). This means that the contribution of SF6 to the man-made greenhouse effect is very little, less
than 0.1 percent of the total effect. This should be compared with carbon dioxide CO2 which contributes about 60%. SF6 does
not destroy the ozone layer. The contribution of SF6 to the greenhouse effect is less than 0.1 percent of the total that mankind
generates.

Can SF6 Create Any Dangerous Substances?

Despite the fact that the SF6 gas is very stable, it will partly decompose in association with electric discharges and arcs, for
example, in a breaker. Then, gaseous and solid decomposition products are produced. Normally the level of gaseous
decomposition products is kept low through the use of absorbers built into the switchgear.

In large concentrations, the decomposition products are corrosive and poisonous. Therefore, there are established routines for
service personnel when opening SF6 filled equipment for maintenance or scrapping. The solid decomposition products are
mainly metal fluorides in the form of a fine grey powder. The powder only appears where arcing has occurred, for instance in
used circuit breakers. The powder can be easily taken care of as separate waste.
The decomposition products are reactive, which means that they will decompose quickly and disappear without any long-term
effect on the environment. SF6 is however mostly in hermetically closed systems. That means the gas is contained for the
entire life time of the equipment, there is no need to open the equipment for servicing and no gas can escape. In SF6-filled
switchgear-decomposition products are created – they can be handled safely and are harmless to the environment. Most SF6
gas is collected and recycled.

Today‘s SF6 apparatus is very gas-tight and in normal operation only a small amount of the gas can leak out. The gas is
monitored continuously, and any leakage would be discovered at an early stage. SF6 apparatus does not need much
maintenance. In the rare case a gas-filled section of apparatus needs to be opened, the gas is pumped into a container. After
filtering, the gas can be used again and put back into the apparatus. There is also equipment which allows us to handle gas in
large quantities (GIS substations) and also in smaller quantities, for example, in single circuit breakers.

Contaminated SF6 can be cleaned and used again. If the gas is not required any more, it can be destroyed by heating it
together with limestone in a high temperature kiln. In this process it is being transformed into the environmentally harmless
and non-toxic natural products gypsum and fluorspar. It is usual policy that no SF6 gas should be released into the
atmosphere. This applies to every time SF6 apparatus is serviced, maintained or scrapped. Most equipment is also designeds
so that gas handling is as easy as possible; we recommend suitable equipment and routines for the handling of the gas; and
we offer to take care of the gas when equipment with SF6 is to be scrapped. SF6 can be cleaned and used again. SF6 can
easily be destroyed.

Most SF6 users policy is that no SF6 gas should be released when equipment is erected, serviced or scrapped.

Responsibility for the Environment.

SF6 is a gas that, amongst other things, is used in electrical equipment. The gas is very stable and very effective for electrical
insulation and arc quenching and is totally harmless to the environment. SF6 is used in electrical power equipment all around
the world; SF6 contributes to ensuring that the consumer gets electricity safely and cheaply. It is the stability of SF6 that
makes it so useful in electrical apparatus. That stability also means that SF6, when released, could contribute to the
greenhouse effect. But very little is released so the contribution to the greenhouse effect is extremely low. Calculations show
that SF6 contributes less than 0.1 percent to the total greenhouse effe

Dielectric gas is a form of gas used in industrial applications as an electrical insulator. Common types of
gasses used include air, nitrogen, and sulfur hexafluoride. Various types of electrical components such as
transformers and circuit breakers require the presence of adielectric gas to prevent damage to a circuit in
the case of an electrical discharge. In routine applications, air is often the dielectric gas of choice because it
doesn't require a pressurized, sealed system, and is ubiquitous.
The type of dielectric gas used depends largely on the voltage level of the device and circuit, as well as
fundamental properties of the gas, such as its inert chemical nature, and thermal properties, such as its
boiling point and ability to transfer heat. The level of toxicity and flammability of the dielectric gas under
certain conditions must also be considered. An electrical short circuit can cause a component like a high-
voltage transformer to physically degrade to the point that the gas is released into the surrounding
environment. For this reason, air and nitrogen gasses are often used as they are largely inert and
nonreactive.
Sulfur hexafluoride is used as a dielectric gas in high-voltage switchgear such as industrial circuit breakers
that connect generators to step-up voltage transformers. It is also used in areas of high voltage electric
power systems that require gas insulators, such as transmission lines, transformers and substations. Around
80% of all the sulfur hexafluoride manufactured is commonly used in electrical power plants and substations
throughout the world due to its superior insulating qualities and ability to suppress radio wave and sound
wave transmission from electrical equipment. It also has the highest level of breakdown voltage for any
insulating gas, which is the level of voltage necessary for a dielectric gas to begin conducting current and fail
to act as an insulator.

Disadvantages to using sulfur hexafluoride as a dielectric gas are significant, however, and, for this reason,
attempts are being made to combine it with safer gasses, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or
perfluorocarbon compounds. It is estimated that sulfur hexafluoride is 22,800 to 23,900 times more of a
contributing factor to global warming when released into the atmosphere as compared to an equivalent
amount of carbon dioxide. It also endures in the atmosphere as a stable greenhouse gas for much longer
than other greenhouse gasses as well, lasting for 800 to 3,200 years before it degrades. The compound also
poses serious health risks upon human exposure, such as causing respiratory problems, and it often
combines with other compounds when released into the air that can lead to fluoride contamination of the
body and a variety of ailments.

Insulating gases
Electronegative gases make good insulators since the ions rapidly combine with the ions produced in the
spark. However, they tend to be corrosive. Some gases though, dissociate only where the discharge is (or
wants to be), making them particularly good insulators.

Gases with electronegative species (i.e. halogens such as chlorine) make good insulators, hence the
popularity of SF6, which is not only dense (breakdown voltage is roughly proportional to density) but is
mostly Fluorine, a highly electronegative element. The halogenated hydrocarbon refrigerants are also a
popular insulator. CCl4, CCl2F2, CCl3F, and C2Cl2F4

Unfortunately, the cost of insulating gases has greatly increased in the last few years largely due to the
various treaties regulating halocarbon refrigerants. The traditional Freons (R-12, R-22) are not being
produced any more, and are quite expensive. Since the regulatory thrust eliminated chlorinated alkanes,
modern refrigerants are relying more on fluorinated or per-fluoro hydrocarbons (e.g.HC-134a) .
Unfortunately, plant capacity is limited, and plants that used to make SF6 are now making fluorinated
hydrocarbons resulting in much higher prices for SF6. In the mid 1980's SF6 was about $3-4/lb. Now, in
the mid 90's, it is about $100/lb. Since a pound is only about 10 liters, filling up a large insulating tank
with SF6 has become a very expensive proposition.

The breakdown voltage of most gases can be increased by increasing the absolute pressure. In the case of
some gases, there is a limit imposed by the liquefaction point at normal operating temperatures (i.e. Freon
12 liquifies at 5 atmospheres). Mixtures of gases can overcome some of these issues and a mixture of
Freon 12 and Nitrogen was popular.

One disadvantage of the halogenated compounds is that the dissociation products are highly corrosive, so
it is important that operating voltages remain well below corona starting voltages. Even air forms highly
reactive nitrogen oxides and other corrosive compounds, particularly if there is any water vapor present.
High pressure air can also support combustion due to the oxygen content. Pure Nitrogen seems to not
have these disadvantages, although its breakdown is only about 15 % better than air.

Air - approximate breakdown is 30 kV/cm at 1 atm. = 30 + 1.53d where d in cm. The breakdown of air is
very well researched, to the point where the breakdown voltage of a calibrated gap is used to measure
high voltages.

Freons- The vapor pressure of CCl2F2 (R-12) is 90 psi at 23C, where the breakdown is some 17 times that
of air at 1 atm. An even higher insulating strength can be obtained by adding nitrogen to the saturated
CCl2F2 to bring the total pressuire to the desired value. The saturated vapor pressure of C2Cl2F4 at 23C is
2 atm abs, at which condition it has a relative dielectric strength of 5.6 times N2 at 1 atm

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) - Sulfur Hexafluoride is probably the most popular insulating gas, although its
cost has risen dramatically recently.

Hydrogen - Hydrogen gas is not a particularly good insulator (65% of air) from a breakdown voltage
standpoint. Its very low viscosity and high thermal capacity make it an insulating gas of choice for high
speed, high voltage machinery such as turbo generators. There isn't an explosion hazard, provided that the
oxygen content in the hydrogen tank is kept below the flammable limit (around 5%). Of course, hydrogen
has lots of other handling problems, including hydrogen embrittlement, it leaks through very tiny holes
(even the pores in the metal tanks), and perfectly colorless, but very hot, flames.

Relative spark breakdown strength of gases

Gas N2 Air NH3 CO2 H2S O2 Cl2 H2 SO2 C2Cl2F4 CCl2F2

V/Vair 1.15 1 1 0.95 0.9 0.85 0.85 0.65 0.30 3.2 2.9

Next

POST-BREAKDOWN PHENOMENA AND APPLICATIONS

This is the phenomenon which occurs after the actual breakdown has taken place and is of
technical importance. Glow and arc discharges are the post-breakdown phenomena, and
there are many devices that operate over these regions. In a Townsend discharge see Fig.
(1) The current increases gradually as a function of the applied voltage. Further to this point
(B) only the current increases and the discharge changes from the Townsend type to Glow
type (BC). Further increase in current results in a very small reduction in voltage across the
gap (CD) corresponding to the normal glow region. The gap voltage again increases (DE),
when the current is increased more, but eventually leads to a considerable drop in the applied
voltage. This is the region of the arc discharge (EG). The phenomena that occur in the region
CG are the post-breakdown phenomena consisting of glow discharge (CE) and the arc
discharge (EG).

Glow Discharge
A glow discharge is characterized by a diffused luminous glow. The colour of the glow
discharge depends on the cathode material and the gas used. The glow discharge covers the
cathode partly and the space between the cathode and the anode will have intermediate dark
and bright regions. This is called normal glow. If the current in the normal glow is increased
such that the discharge covers the entire cathode surface, then it becomes abnormal glow. In
a glow discharge, the voltage drop between the electrodes is substantially constant, ranging
from 75 to 300 V over a current range of 1 mA to 100 mA depending on the type of the gas.
The properties of the glow discharge are used in many practical applications, such as cold
cathode gaseous voltage stabilized tubes (voltage regulation tubes or VR tubes), for
rectification, as a relaxation oscillator, and as an amplifier.

Arc Discharge
If the current in the gap is increased to about 1 A or more, the voltage across the gap
suddenly reduces to a few volts (20—50 V). The discharge becomes very luminous and noisy
(region EG in Fig. 1 This phase is called the arc discharge and the current density over the
cathode region increases to very high values of 103 to 107A/cm2. Arcing is associated with
high temperatures, ranging from 1000°C to several thousand degrees Celsius. The discharge
will contain a very high density of electrons and positive ions, called the arc plasma. The
study of arcs is important in circuit breakers and other switch contacts. It is a convenient high
temperature high intensity light source. It is used for welding and cutting of metals. It is the
light source in lamps such as carbon arc lamp. High temperature plasmas are used for
generation of electricity through magneto-hydro dynamic (MHD) or nuclear fusion processes.

Fig. (1) d.c. voltage-current characteristic of an electrical discharge with

electrodes having no sharp points or edges

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN USING GASES AND

GAS MIXTURES FOR INSULATION PURPOSES

Over the years, considerable amount of work has been done to adopt a specific gas for
practical use. Before adopting a particular gas or gas mixture for a practical purpose, it is
useful to gain knowledge of what the gas does, what its composition is, and what the factors
is that influence its performance. The greater the versatility of the operating performance
demanded from an insulating gas or gas mixture, the more rigorous would he the
requirements which it should meet. These requirements needed by a good dielectric do not
exist in a majority of the gases. Generally, the preferred properties of a gaseous dielectric for
high voltage applications are:
(a) high dielectric strength,
(b) thermal stability and chemical inactivity towards materials of construction,
(c) non-flammability and physiological inertness, and environmentally non-hazardous,
(d), low temperature of condensation,
(e) good heat transfer, and
(f) ready availability at moderate cost.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) which has received much study over the years has been found to
possess most of the above requirements.
Of the above properties, dielectric strength is the most important property of a gaseous
dielectric for practical use. The dielectric strength of gases is comparable with those of solid
and liquid dielectrics see Fig. (2.).
It is clear that SF6 has high dielectric strength and low liquefaction temperature, and it can be
used over a wide range of operating conditions. SF6 was also found to have excellent arc-
quenching properties. Therefore, it is widely used as an insulating as well as arc-quenching
medium in high voltage apparatus

Fig (2) d.c. breakdown strength of typical solid, liquid, gas and vacuum insulations in
uniform, fields

SF6 and Other Gas Mixtures

SF6 is widely used for applications in power system due to its high dielectric strength and
good arc interruption properties. However, SF6 gas has been found to be a green house gas
that causes environmental problems. The production and use of SF6 gas has increased
steadily and today it is about 10,000 metric tons due to leakages into the atmosphere from the
electrical equipment. The concentration of SF6 in the environment has been steadily
increasing. The release of SF6 into the atmosphere leads to concentration of large volumes of
SF6 gas in the upper atmosphere. SF6 molecules absorb energy from the sun and radiate it
into the atmosphere for long duration of time.
There has been a large concern for these environmental effects and therefore the electrical
industry has been looking for an alternate gas or gas mixture to be used in electrical
equipment which presently use SF6 gas, as an insulating and arc interruption medium. The
large amount of experimental data that is presently available suggest that 40% SF6/60%
N2 mixtures have all the dielectric characteristics that make it suitable for use as insulation in
high voltage equipment. Ideally the gas mixture should be suitable for use in the
existing equipment as well as in the equipment that will be designed and manufactured in future.

Extensive research work done in SF6 and its mixtures with N2, air and CO2 has given breakdown
values which are 80—90% of the pure SF6 values as shown in Table

Lightning Impulse Breakdown Strength of SF6/Other Gas Mixtures

Breakdown
Mixture Ratio Strength
)(kV/cm
SF6 gas %100 89.0

1% SF6/99% Nitrogen 80.0

10% SF6/90% Nitrogen 78.0

20% SF6/80% Nitrogen 76.5

40% SF6/60% Nitrogen 75.6

10% SF6/90% CO2 76.5

20% SF6/80% CO2 76.5

40% SF6/60% CO2 75.5

10% SF6/90% Air 77.0

20% SF6/80% Air 76.5

40% SF6/60% Air 75.6

The industry is looking for a gas mixture that can replace the pure SF6 gas in the existing SF6
insulated apparatus, requiring no change in hardware, test procedures or ratings. SF6/N2 mixture is the
one that has been found to be a good replacement for SF6. SF6/N2 mixtures have been used in Gas
Insulated Transmission System and were found to perform well. Also, the work done so far has shown
that the ability of SF6/N2 mixtures to quench high current arcs is promising.

The cost of such mixtures is low and is less sensitive to field non-uniformities present inside the
equipment. In view of the above, the industry is trying to find out the optimum mixture ratio and the
total pressure of the SF6/N2 mixture that would be required for a variety of applications. For many
applications, such as Gas Insulated Transmission Systems, cables, capacitors, current transformers and
voltage transformers, mixtures with different SF6 concentrations varying from 5% to 40%.

SF6/N2 mixtures show promise as a medium in circuit breakers. It has been found that a mixture
containing 69% SF6/31 % N2 gave higher recovery rate than pure SF6 at the same partial pressure. It has
also been shown that it is possible to further improve the arc interruption properties of SF6 by using
SF6/N2 or SF6/He mixtures.

In summary, it may be said that there is an urgent need to significantly reduce the use of SF6 gas and its
leakage from power apparatus. Use of gas mixtures appears to be feasible, but it has to be ensured that
there is no loss in the performance of the equipment. Wherefore, further research has to be carried out
to identify a suitable gas mixture, its pressure and its arc interruption capability to be used in the
existing apparatus and the apparatus that will be designed and manufactured in future.

Previous

ADVANTAGE OF GAS INSULATED TRANSFORMER

1. Non-flammability
Gas insulated transformers, using incombustible SF6 gas as a insulation and cooling medium, enable to remove a
fire fighting equipment from transformer room.
2. Tank-explosion Prevention
Pressure tank enables to withstand the pressure rise in case of internal fault.
3. Compactness
By directly coupling with gas-insulated switchgear, substation space can be minimized as the result of compact
facilities.
4. Easy installation
Oil or liquid purifying process is not necessary in case of gas insulated transformer.
5. Easy inspection and maintenance work
Only SF6 gas pressure shall be basically monitored during periodically inspection.
6. Environmentally Friendly
The use of SF6 gas abolishes the risk of oil leakage.
Specifications and Ratings
Rising demand for electric power in large cities has encouraged large-scale substations to be tucked away
underground in overpopulated urban areas, leading to strong demand for incombustible and non-explosive, large-
capacity gas insulated transformers from the view point of accident prevention and compactness of equipment. In
line with this requirement, several types of large-capacity gas insulated transformer have been developed.
The gas-forced cooling type was considered to be available for up to approximately 60MVA, while all other gas
insulated transformer with higher ratings are liquid cooled. But the liquid cooling type has the disadvantage of a
complex structure for liquid cooling. Thus, TOSHIBA began development of gas forced cooling type gas insulated
transformer, making best use of accumulated experience, latest analyzing technique and the results of innovative
research activities. As a result, TOSHIBA has delivered 275kV-300MVA gas cooled and gas insulated
transformer, of which its structure is as simple as the oil immersed type and is the largest capacity gas insulated
transformer in the world.

Realization of gas insulated transformer

Since heat capacity of SF6 gas is much smaller than that of insulating oil, the following measures are taken into
account.
1. Raise the SF6 gas pressure to 0.5MPa
2. Produce as large flow as possible by optimizing the layout of gas ducts in the windings
3. Develop high capacity gas blower with high reliability
4. Apply highly thermal-resistant insulating materials to raise the limit of winding temperature rises

Internal structure of gas insulated transformer

Layout example of gas insulated substation
Since gas insulated transformer does not need the conservator, the height of transformer room can be reduced.
In addition, its non-flammability and non tank-explosion characteristics can remove the fire fighting equipment
from transformer room.
As a result, gas insulated transformer, gas insulated shunt reactor and GIS control panels can be installed in the
same room. With such arrangement, a fully SF6 gas insulated substation can be recognized.

Cooling Type

1.GNAN Type 2.GFAN Type 3.GFAF Type 4.GFWF Type

The IEC has published a new International Standard in the popular IEC 60076 series on power transformers. Dealing
with gas-filled power transformers, IEC 60076-15, Power transformers - Part 15: Gas-filled power transformers, is
also expected to be a popular part of the series.

A gas-filled transformer is a transformer whose magnetic circuit and windings are enclosed with an insulating gas.
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is generally used. Such a transformer is sometimes referred to as a gas-insulated
(GIS) transformer.
Experts say that these types of transformers offer certain advantages when space is in short supply or where they
have to be housed internally or underground. Katsutoshi Toda of the Toshiba Corporation, who is TC 14, Power
transformers, Project Leader for IEC 60076-15, said: “There has been a rapid increase of gas-filled transformers and
reactors, particularly in South-East Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea and Singapore. Plans to construct indoor
or underground substations accelerate this trend because of the difficulty in acquiring land for substations in large
cities where electric power demand is concentrated. Requirements of security against fire accidents, compactness
and total cost reduction are the key factors for these substations. Total gas-insulated substations combining GIS and
gas-filled transformers meet these needs.”
With the United Nations' forecasting that half the world’s population will live in urban areas by the end of 2008 and
about 70% will be city dwellers by 2050, there is likely to be a huge increase in the demand for electricity. To meet
this need, authorities and utilities will have to build new substations. Because city land is scarce and expensive,
many of the new substations will have to be built indoors or underground. The demand for gas-filled transformers
can therefore be expected to increase.
IEC 60076-15 is an essential tool for those who design, construct, purchase or operate gas-filled transformers and
for those who plan or construct the substations in dense city areas. Australia and the United Kingdom are already
among the countries using these transformers, Toda said. Gas-filled transformers (up to 330kV-400MVA class) are
currently operating in the field of electric power utilities and industrial firms.
IEC 60076-15, Power transformers - Part 15: Gas-filled power transformers
Further information on the work of TC 14, Power transformers is available from the TC 'Dashboard' on the IEC's
website. Information includes projects, publications and general contact information.