Extraction and disposal of SF6 gas plants

Miximum safety for SF6 gas disposal

Pure SF6 gas is non-toxic and has high disruptive strength. This is why sulphur hexafluoride has been used for insulation since the 1960s, partic­ularly in high- and medium-voltage systems. In addition to its very positive properties, SF6 gas has the disadvantage that it is over 22,000 times more harmful to the climate than CO2 and only decomposes in nature after several thousand years, making it the strongest known greenhouse gas. The disposal of SF6 gas systems is therefore a matter for specialists. Although the European F-Gas Regulation VO (EU) 2024-573 privileges companies in the energy industry for many regulations, it also regulates the correct disposal by certified companies.

Through our specialized sister company SF6 Recycling GmbH, we recycle SF-6 gas that is used in smaller quantities in circuit breakers, medium-voltage systems, discon­nectors or ring cable systems so that it can be used as a substitute for new SF-6 gas. Partic­ularly in the case of larger quantities of SF 6 gas, which are contained in GIS systems (gas-insulated switchgear), for example, large quantities of SF 6 gas can be fed back into the cycle and therefore do not have to be newly produced. For example, a smaller GIS system contains 300 kg of SF-6 gas, which corresponds to the harmfulness of 6720 tons of carbon dioxide. If the SF 6 gas from such a plant were to escape into the atmosphere, it would cause the same climate damage as flying an entire Boeing 747 from Frankfurt via the USA to New Zealand and back.

Toxic decompo­sition products can arise from the non-toxic SF6 when electrically discharged or under electric arcs. Above a certain concen­tration, the used SF6 gas must be transported as hazardous waste in accordance with the provisions of the ADR with a safety plan, which involves consid­erable effort. For your safety, we analyze the chemical composition of each individual device before extraction and provide you with the measurement protocols. In the case of high concen­trations, we purify the gas with our own treatment plant so that it complies with industry standard IEC 60480 and can be reused directly in other plants. In contrast to ReUse, which is not compatible with waste legislation, we provide you with the necessary evidence for legally compliant recycling.

Before dismantling any SF-6 system, we ensure that the gas is completely extracted and taken for disposal or recycling. We only use modern equipment for evacuating SF6 gas, which operates in accordance with the redundant SIL2 industry standard and therefore offers absolute safety against the escape of SF6 gas even if a component is defective. Our expertise and years of experience with a wide variety of devices and systems give you peace of mind. We dispose of your SF6 gas and provide you with an extraction protocol for each device as proof.

We also have suitable methods for extracting the SF-6 gas under vacuum for closed SF-6 gas-filled devices, so that uncontrolled escape of the gas into the environment is prevented reliably. We use upstream analytics to check whether and, if so, which decompo­sition products have formed in the system. During the extraction of the SF6 gas, we clean the decompo­sition products and then dispose of the SF6 gas profes­sionally and reliably.

To support your documen­tation obligations, we analyze the to be evacuated SF6 gas on site using our own analysis equipment of the newest standards. We have self-developed software with which we can confirm the gas quality on a printout. On our gas analysis, which is based on the measurement of our analysis devices, we show you on site and for each old appliance which classi­fi­cation according to relevant and applicable laws, industry standards and regulations apply. You will receive a printout on site and for each appliance showing whether the SF6 gas contains decompo­sition products and, if so, which ones. You will find out directly whether the SF6 gas is to be classified in accordance with ADR UN 1080, UN 3163 or UN 3308 and which containers and transportation rules are stipulated by dangerous goods legislation. We also provide you with proof of whether your SF 6 gas is to be classified under AVV 16 05 04* or 16 05 05. Our analyzer also provides a statement while attached to your system filled with SF 6 gas as to whether it complies with industry standards IEC 60480 or IEC 62271. This gives you maximum safety when handling systems filled with SF 6 gas.

If necessary due to the decompo­sition products, transportation will of course be carried out in accordance with ADR regulations, if necessary under UN number 3308 with the security plan prescribed in the dangerous goods regulations. We purify both clean and contam­inated SF6 gas in approved facilities to a quality that far exceeds the requirements of EN IEC 60376 so that it can be reused as a substitute for new gas. This way, we avoid the production of new gas and save emissions. Classic recycling, as we known from many other materials - to protect our environment.