SF₆ gas recycling centre to lower carbon emissions and generate cost savings

The Australian team of power and automation technology group ABB has developed a patented technology for recycling of contaminated sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). The patented technology will be implemented at the company’s recently established SF₆ gas recycling centre in Moorebank, NSW. This is the first fully automated cryogenic SF₆ gas recycling technology, said Brett Alexander, SF₆ Operations Manager. Alexander, who joined ABB three years ago, led the team to successfully develop the new SF₆ recycling technology.

SF₆ gas is extensively used in the electrical industry for dielectric insulation and current interruption in circuit breakers, switchgear and other electrical equipment. Pressurised SF₆ gas is used for the safe and reliable operation of gas-insulated switchgear as it has a much higher dielectric strength than air or dry nitrogen, making it possible to significantly reduce product footprint and enable installation in constrained spaces. However, its life cycle management is a challenge for utility and industrial users. The cost of handling SF₆ in a compliant manner can also be substantial, particularly when decommissioning ageing substations.

The new technology will allow utility companies to recover SF₆ and manage it a lot better than they are able to at the moment, Alexander told Electrical Solutions. The impact of using recycled gas instead of new gas will be seen when the carbon tax comes into effect, he said. Every kilogram of gas recycled is one kilogram that doesn’t have to be manufactured, he added.

Using recycled SF₆ gas will help reduce carbon emissions and could result in a cost-saving potential of up to 30%. Purity of recycled SF₆ gas using the newly developed technology is ~99.99%, according to ABB. This exceeds the purity that can be achieved using traditional methods and removes the need for costly and energy-intensive gas destruction.

“This breakthrough actively supports a complete life cycle management approach, improving asset optimisation and performance while reducing environmental impact in a cost-effective manner,” said Giandomenico Rivetti, head of ABB’s high-voltage products business, a part of the company’s Power Products division. “It is yet another example of how ABB remains at the forefront of technology and innovation while developing solutions for a better world.”

The new service offering will see contaminated SF₆ gas recycled into technical-grade standard (according to IEC 60376 standards) for re-use using approved handling practices that do not allow the escape of SF₆ gas into the atmosphere. The service also covers monitoring to ensure compliance with changing local and international regulations and standards.