Clarifications on the Behavior of Alternative Gases to SF6 in Divergent Electric Field Distributions under AC Voltage

Abstract

Negative and positive partial discharge inception voltages and breakdown measurements are reported in a needle-plane electrode system as a function of pressure under AC voltage for natural gases (N2, CO2, and O2/CO2), pure NovecTM gases (C4F7N and C5F10O) and NovecTM in different natural gas admixtures. For compressed 4% C4F7N–96% CO2 and 6% C5F10O–12% O2–82% CO2 gas mixtures, the positive-streamer mode is identified as the breakdown mechanism. Breakdown and negative partial discharge inception voltages of 6% C5F10O–12% O2–82% CO2 are higher than those of 4% C4F7N–96% CO2. At 8.8 bar abs, the breakdown voltage of 6% C5F10O–12% O2–82% CO2 is equal to that of 12.77% O2–87.23% CO2 (buffer gas). Synergism in negative partial discharge inception voltage/electric field fits with the mean value and the sum of each partial pressure individually component for a 20% C4F7N–80% CO2 and 6% C5F10O–12% O2–82% CO2, respectively. In 9% C4F7N–91% CO2, the comparison of partial discharge inception electric fields is Emax (CO2) = Emax(C4F7N), and Emax (12.77% O2–87.23% CO2) = Emax(C5F10O) in 19% C5F10O–81%(12.77% O2–87.23% CO2). Polarity reversal occurs under AC voltage when the breakdown polarity changes from negative to positive cycle. Polarity reversal electric field EPR was quantified. Fitting results show that EPR (CO2) = EPR(9% C4F7N–91% CO2) and EPR(SF6) = EPR (22% C4F7N–78% CO2). EPR (4% C4F7N–96% CO2) = EPR (12.77% O2–87.23% CO2) and EPR (6% C5F10O–12% O2–82% CO2) < EPR (4% C4F7N–96% CO2) < EPR (CO2).