Compositions containing sulfur hexafluoride and uses thereof

Abstract

A method for suppressing an electric arc or corona discharge includes providing a device capable of storing, transmitting, or generating an electrical current or field; and enveloping at least a portion of said device with a dielectric gas consisting essentially of: sulfur hexafluoride; a second component selected from the group consisting of nitrous oxide; carbon dioxide; trifluoromethane (R32); trifluoroiodomethane; octafluoropropane (R218); 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (R125); propane (R290); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf); 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yc); 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234zc); 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234ze); 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234ye); 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225ye); 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yc); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225zc); (Z)1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeZ); (Z)1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yeZ); (E)1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeE); (E)1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yeE); (Z)1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeZ); (E)1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeE) and combinations of two or more of these; and optionally, an additive selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, metal passivators, corrosion inhibitors, and lubricants.

1 . A gas insulated electrical device comprising:
 at least one component capable of generating, storing, and/or transmitting an electrical current and/or field, and   a dielectric gas consisting essentially of:
 sulfur hexafluoride; and 
 a second component selected from the group consisting of nitrous oxide; carbon dioxide; trifluoromethane (R32); trifluoroiodomethane; octafluoropropane (R218); 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (R125); propane (R290); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf); 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yc); 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234zc); 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234ze); 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234ye); 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225ye); 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yc); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225zc); (Z)1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeZ); (Z)1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yeZ); (E)1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeE); (E)1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-propene (HFO-1234yeE); (Z)1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeZ); (E)1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeE) and combinations of two or more of these, 
   wherein at least a portion of said one or more components is enveloped by said dielectric gas.   
     
     
         2 . The gas insulated electrical device of  claim 1  wherein said sulfur hexafluoride and said second component are present in said dielectric gas in amounts sufficient to form an azeotrope-like composition. 
     
     
         3 . The gas insulated electrical device of  claim 2  wherein said one or more components comprises a high voltage electrical network and/or circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The gas insulated electrical device of  claim 2  wherein said component is selected from the group consisting of resistor, inductor, capacitor, transformer, transistor, inductor, rectifier, transmission line, motor, generator, voltage source, circuit breaker, and electrical switchgear.