KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy

Korea Electric Power Corporation (한국전력공사)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Evaluation of a Prototype SF6 Purification System for Commercialization

  • Seo, Hai-Kyung (KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation) ;
  • Lee, Jeong Eun (KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation) ;
  • Kim, Kwang Sin (KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation) ;
  • Kim, Kyeongsook (KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation)
  • Received : 2019.07.26
  • Accepted : 2019.11.13
  • Published : 2020.03.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) uses large amount of SF6, one of the potent greenhouse gases, in electric equipment for electrical insulation. KEPCO is developing SF6 recovery and purification technology to minimize the release of SF6 into the environment, to secure certified emission reduction, and to save purchase cost of new SF6 by reusing the refined SF6. A prototype SF6 purification system using cryogenic solidification technology has been built in demonstration scale. To evaluate the feasibility of the commercialization, the system has been operated to purify large amount of used SF6 in a long-term operation and the performance has been economically evaluated. The system was stable enough for commercial operation such that it was able to purify 5.4 tons of used SF6 from power transmission equipment in 2-month operation. Over 99% of the SF6 was recovered from the used gas and the purity of the purified gas was over 99.7 vol%. The operation cost, which is the cost of refrigerant (liquid nitrogen), electricity and labor, per kilogram of purified SF6 was 6,526 KRW. Considering the price of new SF6 in Korea is about 15,000 KRW per kilogram this year, about 56% of the purchase cost can be saved.

Keywords

References

  1. W-T. Tsai., "The decomposition products of sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$): Reviews of environmental and health risk analysis," Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, 128, pp.1345-1352, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluchem.2007.06.008
  2. M. Rabie, "C.M. Franck. Assessment of eco-friendly insulation to replace the most industrial greenhouse gases $SF_6$," Environmental Science Technology, 52, pp.369-380, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03465
  3. M. Maiss, C.A.M. Brenninkmeijer, "Atmospheric $SF_6$: trends, sources, and prospects," Environmental Science Technology, 32, pp.3077-3086, 1988. https://doi.org/10.1021/es9802807
  4. International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 60376. Specification of technical grade sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$) for use in electrical equipment. Second edition, 2005. International Electrotechnical Commission, CIGRE 234, SF6 recycling guide, 2003.
  5. IEC 60480. Guidelines for the checking and treatment of sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$) taken from electrical equipment and specification for its reuse. Second edition, 2004.
  6. K. Kim, K.S. Kim, J.E. Lee, S. Park, C.K. Ahn, G.H. Kim, "Status of $SF_6$ separation /refining technology development for electric industry in Korea," Separation and Purification Technology, 200, pp.29-35, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.02.016
  7. C.K. Ahn, G.H. Kim, J.E. Lee, K.S. Kim, K. Kim, "An $SF_6$ purification process utilizing gas hydrate formation developed for electric power industry," Separation and Purification Technology, 217, pp. 221-228, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.02.027
  8. W.S. Cho, K.H. Lee, H.J. Chang, W. Huh, H.H. Kwon, "Evaluation of pressure-temperature swing adsorption for sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$) recovery from $SF_6$ and $N_2$ gas mixture," Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, 28, pp.2196-2201, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-011-0104-7
  9. M.B. Kim, K.M. kim, T.H. Kim, T.U, Yoon, E.J. Kim, J.H. Kim, Y.S. Bae, "High selective adsorption of $SF_6$ over $N_2$ in a bromine-functionalized zirconium-based metal-organic framework," Chemical Engineering Journal, 339, pp.223-229, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.01.129
  10. A plant and method for recovering sulphur hexafluoride for reuse, WO 2012/142672, PCT/AU2012/000417.
  11. S. Lee, J.W. Choi, S.H. Lee, "Separation of greenhouse gases ($SF_6$, $CF_4$ and $CO_2$) in an industrial flue gas using pilot scale membrane," Separation and Purification Technology, 148, pp.15-24, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.04.044
  12. Y. Dai, Q. Li, X. Ruan, Y. Hou, X. Jiang, X. Yan, G. He, F. Meng, Z. Wang, "Fabrication of defect-free Matrimid asymmetric membranes and the elevated temperature application for $N_2$/$SF_6$ separation," Journal of Membrane Science, 577, pp.258-265, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.050
  13. S. Lee, J.W. Choi, S.H. Lee, "Separation of greenhouse gases ($SF_6$, $CF_4$ and $CO_2$) in an industrial flue gas using pilot scale membrane," Separation and Purification Technology, 148, pp.15-24, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.04.044
  14. S.J. Kim, Y.I. Park, S.E. Nam, H. Park, P.S. Lee, "Separation of F-gases from nitrogen through thin carbon membranes," Separation and Purification Technology, 158, pp. 108-114, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.12.014
  15. K. Golzar, H. Modarress, S.A. Iranagh, "Separation of gases by using pristine composite and nanocomposite polymeric membranes: a molecular dynamics simulation study," Journal of Membrane Science, 539, pp.238-256, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2017.06.010
  16. I. Cha, S. lee, J.D. Lee, G.W. Lee. Y. Seo, "Separation of $SF_6$ from mixtures using gas hydrate formation," Environmental Science Technology, 44, pp.6117-6122, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1021/es1004818
  17. H. Lee, J.D. Lee, Y. Kim, "Effect of nonionic surfactants on F-gases (HFC-134a and $SF_6$) Hydrate formation," Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 57, pp. 12980-12986, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b02651
  18. V. M Vorotyntsev, V. M. Malyshev, P. G. Taraburov, G. M. Mochalov, "Separation of gas mixtures by continuous gas hydrate crystallization," Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering, 35, pp. 513-515, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012390423740
  19. V. M Vorotyntsev, V. M. Malyshev, G. M. Mochalov, P. G. Taraburov, "Separation of gas mixtures by the gas hydrate crystallization method," Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering, 35, pp. 119-123, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010369220823
  20. J. E. Lee, K.S. Kim, A.R. Kim, S. Park, K. Kim, "Installation and test run of comprehensive analysis system for $SF_6$ in power equipment," KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 41-47, 2017. https://doi.org/10.18770/KEPCO.2017.03.01.041
  21. Standard test method for air and carbon tetrafluoride in sulfur hexafluoride by gas chromatograph, ASTM D2685-11 (2011).
  22. Standard test method for acidity of sulfur hexafluoride, ASTM D2284-11, (2011)
  23. Standard specification for sulfur hexafluoride, ASTM D2472-15 (2015)
  24. Standard test methods for water vapor content of electrical insulating gases by measurement of dew point, D2029-97 (2008).
  25. S. van der Laan, R.E.M. Neubert, H.A.J. Meijer, "A single gas chromatograph for accurate atmospheric mixing ratio measurements of $CO_2$, $CH_4$, $N_2O$, $SF_6$ and CO," Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 2, pp.549-559, 2009. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2-549-2009
  26. X. Zhang, H. Liu, J. Ren, J. Li, X. Li, "Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy quantitative analysis of $SF_6$ partial discharge decomposition components," Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 136, 884-889, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.09.109
  27. R. Kurte, H.M. Heise, D. Klockow., "Quantitative infrared spectroscopic analysis of $SF_6$ decomposition products obtained by electrical partial discharges and sparks using PLS-calibration," Journal of Molecular Structure, 565-566, pp. 505-513, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2860(00)00847-4
  28. H. Cho, D. Woo, Y. Choi, M. Han, "Characteristics of $SF_6$ gas recycling processes," Clean Technology, 17, pp. 329-335, 2011. https://doi.org/10.7464/KSCT.2011.17.4.329
  29. H. Tajima, A. Yamasaki, F. Kiyono, "Energy consumption estimation for greenhouse gas separation processes by clathrate hydrate formation," Energy, 29, pp.1713-1729, 2004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2004.03.003