Gas Insulated Switchgear Using CO2 and Methane Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas insulated switchgears face issues with global warming, carbon generation, and safety concerns due to the use of alternative arc-extinguishing gases like CO2, perfluorocarbons, and hydrofluorocarbons, which have limitations in arc-extinguishing performance and insulation, and the use of CO2 and H2 mixtures poses risks of combustion and explosion.
Innovation Solution
A gas insulated switchgear using a mixed gas comprising CO2 and CH4, with at least 5% CH4, which reduces carbon generation, enhances arc-extinguishing and insulation performance, and maintains safety by avoiding combustion risks, while being environmentally friendly and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 gas is used as arc-extinguishing gas to reduce global warming effect, then environmental friendliness is improved, but arc-extinguishing performance and electrical insulation performance deteriorate compared to SF6 gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite gas mixture of CO2 and CH4 instead of pure CO2. This composite approach combines the environmental benefits of CO2 with the arc-extinguishing enhancement provided by CH4, achieving both low global warming potential and satisfactory electrical performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 gas is used as arc-extinguishing gas, then global warming effect is reduced, but electrical insulation performance deteriorates compared to SF6 gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite gas mixture of CO2 and CH4. The CH4 component enhances the electrical insulation performance of the mixture, compensating for the inferior insulation properties of pure CO2 while maintaining environmental friendliness
3Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 and H2 mixed gas is used to suppress carbon generation, then carbon generation is reduced, but combustion and explosion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the problematic H2 gas with CH4 gas. While both are combustible, CH4 has a narrower explosive range and lower combustion velocity compared to H2, significantly reducing safety risks. The CH4 is consumed during arc extinction operations, effectively suppressing carbon generation without posing severe explosion hazards
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CO2 and CH4 mixture significantly reduces carbon generation, improves arc-extinguishing and insulation performance, and ensures high safety and reduced environmental impact, allowing for a compact and cost-effective switchgear design with minimal adverse effects on global warming.
Implementation Method 1
current is interrupted by extinguishing this arc
Implementation Method 2
an arc discharge is produced in the gas atmosphere
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a gas insulated switchgear constituted such that electrical contacts are placed inside a sealed vessel (1) filled with an arc extinguishing gas, and when electrical current passes, the electrical contacts are held in contact and pass electricity, and when the current is interrupted, the electrical contacts are separated and an arc discharge is produced in the arc extinguishing gas, and the current is interrupted by extinguishing this arc (8). The arc extinguishing gas is a mixed gas, the main constituents of which are N2 gas and CH4 gas, and the CH4 content is at least 30 %. Alternatively, the arc extinguishing gas is a mixed gas, the main constituents of which are CO2 gas and CH4 gas, and the CH4 content is at least 5 %.