Why use SF6 gas when sulphur hexafluoride is known to be harmful? It is necessary to use SF6 even though sulfur hexafluoride is harmful, largely because there is no perfect substitute for SF6 at present. It is well known that SF6 gas occupies a dominant position in the electric power industry, high-voltage switch, sulfur hexafluoride gas insulation, etc., and is inseparable from the electric power industry, fire extinguisher, semiconductor manufacturing, photoelectric industry, etc. This is also the main reason why SF6 gas is used when sulphur hexafluoride is known to be harmful. Isn't it a little bit knowing that the mountain has the feeling of tiger to tiger mountain? In fact, many scientists in the world are already developing new technologies to replace SF6 gas. For example, ABB recently announced the development of a new insulating gas mixture to replace sulfur hexafluoride, which has made a major breakthrough in the field of switch technology. The project is currently being tried out in a pilot project in Switzerland and it is believed that if successful it could significantly reduce its environmental impact, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 50 per cent and significantly reducing the harm caused by sulphur hexafluoride.

Spatial filling model of SF6

How does sulphur hexafluoride harm come about? There are many industries that need to use SF6 gas and many manufacturers that produce SF6 gas. These are all possible emission sources of SF6 gas. The harm of sulfur hexafluoride is also generated along with these emission sources. For example, if the producer of SF6 gas has poor management and immature technology in the production process, SF6 gas is likely to be discharged during the production process. This is one of the causes of the hazard of sulfur hexafluoride. Secondly, SF6 gas is needed to be poured into many electrical equipment, and many large insulation switches also need to use SF6. If the equipment is not properly replaced, or the equipment is not repaired, SF6 gas leakage may be caused, and the harm will come like this.

The ball and stick model of SF6

The greenhouse effect of sulfur hexafluoride is the main hazard of sulfur hexafluoride, and the decomposition product of SF6 is also one of the causes of the hazard. Although refinement of SF6 gas chemical properties is stable, safe non-toxic, but in high temperature and high pressure under the action of electric arc, if there is water, it is possible to decompose the hydrofluoric acid (HF) and poisonous SOF2, SO2F2, SF4 and SOF4 low sulfur fluoride, in a high temperature under the action of arc, will also be decomposed to produce greenhouse gases with sulfur dioxide (SO2), one of hydrofluoric acid (HF). These toxic gases will not only corrode the equipment itself, once leakage occurs, it will cause serious harm to human body! The toxic decomposition products of SF6 are also harmful to sulfur hexafluoride.