SF6 gas reclaiming purifying device and purifying method are critical technologies in modern industrial operations, particularly in power transmission and distribution systems. As the most effective insulating and arc-quenching medium for high-voltage equipment, SF6 gas demands rigorous management due to its global warming potential (GWP) 23,500 times that of CO₂ over a 100-year period. This guide explores how advanced reclaiming and purifying solutions address environmental concerns while ensuring equipment reliability.

Key Components of SF6 Gas Reclaiming Purifying Devices

A high-performance SF6 gas reclaiming purifying device integrates five core modules to achieve optimal results:

Gas Extraction Unit: Equipped with oil-free compressors (operating pressure up to 20 bar) to safely extract SF6 from circuit breakers, transformers, and GIS systems without pressure loss.

Multi-stage Filtration System: Combines pre-filters (5μm) and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (0.3μm) to remove dust, metal particles, and decomposition byproducts like SO₂F₂.

Moisture Removal Module: Uses activated alumina and molecular sieves (13X type) to reduce moisture content below 50 ppmv, critical for preventing equipment corrosion.

Impurity Adsorption Chamber: Specialized adsorbents (activated carbon + silica gel) target acidic gases (HF, SO₂) and hydrocarbon contaminants, ensuring purity compliance with IEC 60376 standards.

Storage & Monitoring System: High-pressure cylinders (40L capacity) with digital pressure transducers and SF6 concentration sensors (accuracy ±0.1%) for real-time quality tracking.

Step-by-Step SF6 Gas Purifying Method

The industrial-grade SF6 purifying method follows a systematic process to achieve 99.9%+ purity:

Recovery Phase: Vacuum pumping (down to 1 mbar) creates pressure differential, extracting 99.5% of residual SF6 from equipment within 30 minutes.

Preliminary Filtration: Gas passes through cyclonic separators to eliminate particulate matter >10μm, reducing filter load by 40%.

Deep Drying: Moisture-laden SF6 flows through desiccant beds, with regeneration cycles activated when dew point exceeds -40°C (measured via chilled mirror hygrometers).

Advanced Purification: Adsorption columns with gradient packing (silica gel → activated carbon) remove chemical impurities, validated by in-line gas chromatography.

Distillation (Optional): For ultra-high purity requirements (99.99%), low-temperature distillation (-45°C) separates SF6 from N₂, O₂, and CF₄ based on vapor pressure differences.

Quality Verification: Automated testing ensures purity ≥99.9%, moisture ≤50 ppmv, and acidity ≤0.1 ppmv before transfer to storage.

Environmental & Economic Benefits

Implementing professional SF6 gas reclaiming purifying devices and methods delivers dual advantages:

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Each ton of reclaimed SF6 avoids 23.5 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions, aligning with EU F-gas regulations (Regulation (EU) 517/2014) and China’s "14th Five-Year" greenhouse gas control plan.

Cost Savings: Reusing purified SF6 reduces procurement costs by 60-70% compared to purchasing new gas, with typical ROI within 18 months for medium-sized substations.

Equipment Longevity: Maintaining SF6 purity above 99.8% extends the service life of circuit breakers by 15-20 years, minimizing replacement expenses.

Emerging Trends in SF6 Reclaiming Technology

2025 innovations are transforming the sector, including:

IoT-integrated devices with cloud-based monitoring (via LoRaWAN) for remote purity tracking

Mobile reclaiming units (mounted on 3-ton trucks) enabling on-site purification for wind farms and offshore platforms

AI-driven predictive maintenance systems that optimize filter replacement cycles based on real-time impurity data

By adopting these advanced SF6 gas reclaiming purifying devices and methods, industries can achieve compliance, sustainability, and operational excellence simultaneously. As global regulations tighten, investing in these technologies becomes not just an environmental responsibility but a strategic business imperative.