Research on Arcing Characteristics of Sulfur Hexafluoride Alternative Gases in Rotating Arc Ring Main Unit

Abstract

Abstract As international environmental constraints such as low carbon emissions and reduction requirements increase, there is an urgent need to seek environmentally friendly alternatives to SF6 gas. The SF6 ring main unit is widely used in the power distribution network system, highlighting the urgent need for research on environmentally friendly gas-insulated ring main units. This study simulates and compares the arc characteristics of 12 kV rotating arc ring main unit with different environmentally friendly gases, such as N2, 20%SF6/80%N2, 40%SF6/60%N2, 10%C4F7N/90%CO2. It is concluded that the arc burns most violently in N2, and the SF6 arc voltage is the highest. The specific heat at constant pressure and thermal conductivity of the gas affect the intensity of arc combustion and thus affect the arc voltage. In this paper, the causes of different gas arc characteristics are explained by analyzing the physical parameters of gas. Specifically, the isobaric specific heat and thermal conductivity of gases affect the severity of arc combustion, thereby impacting arc voltage. Moreover, viscosity plays a role in determining the rotation speed of the arc. The conclusion of this paper provides theoretical guidance on optimizing the gas component ratio of environmentally friendly gases in ring main units.