Electricity industry must end its SF6 emissions

Six gases were identified in the Kyoto Protocol for their global warming potential: CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, HFC and PFC. Of the list, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) has highest long-term global warming potential (a release of 1 kg of SF6 corresponds to 22 tons of CO2, with an estimated life of 100 years in the atmosphere).

The approximate annual production of SF6 is 8000 tons. The electric power industry uses approximately 80% of all SF6 produced in the world. There are currently no viable alternatives to the use of SF6 in the electrical industry, where it is used as an insulating gas in power distribution equipment.

The solution is action plans to minimize emissions. And the main environmental agencies have pronounced themselves on the matter (for example, the “F-gas Regulation 517/2014” of the EU). They all point to Optical Gas Imaging as the most appropriate technology to ensure emissions reduction.

SENSIA’s CAROLINE X is the latest advancement in Optical Gas Imaging. It combines high performance and efficiency, being able to detect small SF6 leaks in a power plant, much faster, cheaper and at a safer distance. Its use is very simple: just record with the camera and start the inspection, without altering the normal operation of the installation.

In addition, SENSIA proposes CAROLINE FX, a stationary OGI solution for 24/7 fixed monitoring of possible SF6 leaks, sudden temperature changes, possible fires and perimeter control. It integrates the RedLook solution, which provides, in an unattended manner, several functionalities for the integrated an automatic control of the installation.

For more details about these and other emission control equipment: sensia-solutions.com