Decomposition characteristics of SF6 in an electrical tube furnace and a pilot system by combustion

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering Vol. 39; no. 10; pp. 2615 - 2622
• Main Authors: Lee, Joongwon, Kim, Miyeong, Byun, Younghwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.10.2022; Springer Nature B.V; 한국화학공학회
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Combustion; Decomposition; Decomposition reactions; Fuel-air ratio; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Process Safety; Process Systems Engineering; Sulfur hexafluoride; Thermal decomposition; Tube furnaces; 화학공학; Combustion; Decomposition Rate; Thermal Decomposition; SF6 (Sulfur Hexafluoride); Global Warming Gas
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-022-1141-0

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) is widely used in a variety of industrial processes and commercial products. However, this chemically stable gas is one of the most potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) contributing significantly to global warming. Therefore, to reduce greenhouse gas such as SF6, a new eco-friendly, economic, and stable treatment technology is required. In this study, the thermal decomposition characteristics of SF6 were investigated using a laboratory scale electrical tube furnace reactor and combustion-based pilot system. Based on these results, the SF 6 decomposition reaction order is around 1 and its activation energy (E a ) in the investigation temperature range is 238.04–257.18 kJ/mol. This value is used to calculate the reactor size when designing a commercial facility. Also, the experimental results of a combustion-based pilot system indicate that SF 6 supply location, reaction temperature, supplied concentration, and fuel/air ratio could affect SF6 decomposition efficiency. The results demonstrate that a 99.9% decomposition efficiency could be achieved in the combustion.