ABB has developed a patented technology for the comprehensive recycling of contaminated sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, based on a new energy efficient cryogenic process. The company hopes the technology can be expanded to recycle contaminated natural refrigerants.
The purity of the recycled SF6 gas using the newly developed technology is 99.99 per cent, in accordance with technical grade IEC 60376 (the standard for new gas), which enables the SF6 to be reused repeatedly.
The technology, developed by an Australian team, has been implemented at the newly established and dedicated SF6 gas recycling and management centre located at Moorebank in NSW.
The centre was officially unveiled last December, making Australian customers the first to benefit in the global rollout of the world-first SF6 recycling technology.
“This breakthrough actively supports a complete lifecycle management approach, improving asset optimisation and performance while reducing environmental impact in a cost effective manner,” said Axel Kuhr, country manager for ABB in Australia. “It is yet another example of how ABB remains at the forefront of technology and innovation and a great example of Australia’s contribution to ABB’s global research and development program.”
Marcus Marenghi, the high voltage service manager at ABB in Australia, explaining the benefits that this service will provide to customers said: “when we embarked on this project a few years ago, there were very limited options in Australia for disposing of SF6 at the end-of-life. Utility and industrial companies had to manage not only the high costs involved, but also the safety and environmental risks attached to managing SF6.
“We have effectively closed the lifecycle loop, as we can now recover the gas of decommissioned equipment and purify the gas at our Moorebank facility, therefore eliminating the need for incineration or disposal of the gas,” explained Marcus.
The new service offering will see contaminated SF6 gas recycled into technical grade standard (according to IEC 60376 standards) for reuse, using approved handling practices that do not allow the escape of SF6 gas into the atmosphere. The service also covers monitoring to ensure compliance with changing local and international regulations and standards.
Using recycled SF6 gas will help reduce carbon emissions with a potential cost saving of up to 30 per cent.
ABB’s accredited technicians are equipped to safely analyse and manage existing gas inventory, complete inspections and tests on gas quality and quantity. The gas quality inspections ensure the purity of gas in equipment exceeds the minimum standards required for safe operation. This not only protects the equipment and network, but reduces the risk of potential workplace accidents and incidents.
As part of ABB’s commitment to help customers reduce their environmental impact, the company will accept any quantity or quality of SF6 for purifying and restoration to a technical grade standard using ABB’s patented recycling process and technology.