Decomposition characteristics of C5F10O/air mixture as substitutes for SF6 to reduce global warming

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.jfluchem.2018.01.015

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is widely used in the power industry but is a serious greenhouse gas. Many researchers committed to achieving sustainable development of the power industry are finding alternatives to SF₆ gas. C₅F₁₀O performs well in terms of environmental protection, insulation, and safety and is a potential environment-friendly alternative gas. In this paper, the insulation and decomposition characteristics of C₅F₁₀O/air gas mixture were examined using gas-insulation performance test platform, and decomposition products were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The formation mechanism and distribution of C₅F₁₀O decomposition products were analyzed through reactive molecular dynamics method and density functional theory. The influence of air on the decomposition of C₅F₁₀O was also evaluated. Results showed that the decomposition of C₅F₁₀O/air gas mixture mainly produces CF₃[rad], C₃F₇[rad], C₄F₇O[rad], CO, CF₂[rad], CF[rad], F[rad] and CF₄. The breakdown voltage of C₅F₁₀O/air gas mixture decreased slightly after repeated breakdown tests, and CF₄, C₂F₆, C₃F₈, C₃F₆, C₄F₁₀, CF₂O were detected. These results can serve as a reference for the systematic comprehension of the decomposition characteristics of C₅F₁₀O/air gas mixture and for related engineering applications.