Taking on the world’s most toxic greenhouse gas

 

In the world of electricity, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) plays a crucial role.

It’s used to insulate high-voltage equipment, like gas-insulated switchgear and circuit breakers, helping keep our power grid reliable.

However, SF6 comes with a serious drawback: it’s a greenhouse gas that is 23,500 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and it can linger in the atmosphere for over 3,000 years.

This creates a big dilemma for the energy sector, which relies on it while also trying to combat climate change.

Ideally, the approach to dealing with used SF6 has been to send it back to its countries of origin for incineration.

This method is not only costly — about RM11.6 per kilogram plus surcharges — but it also releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

More info: https://asianewstoday.com/taking-on-the-worlds-most-toxic-greenhouse-gas/

As environmental concerns grow, there is an urgent need to rethink how we manage this greenhouse gas.

To tackle this challenge, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) launched its SF6 Gas Recycling and Reconditioning Centre in October 2021.

This facility aims to offer a more sustainable way to manage SF6 by adopting a circular economy approach.

Simply put, the goal is to reduce the use of new SF6 gas, reuse what’s already available, and recycle it whenever possible.

But, how does TNB manage SF6? Well for starters, the process consists of four key stages:

First, the company collects SF6 gas from electrical equipment during maintenance using specialized equipment designed for this task.

Once collected, the gas is treated to remove impurities, making it ready to be reused in the electrical grid.

Finally, any unusable (minimal) SF6 gas is disposed of responsibly, following strict environmental regulations.

Since the centre opened, TNB has processed over 11,000 kilograms of SF6, leading to impressive cost savings and demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability.

All in all, the issues surrounding SF6 usage highlight the ongoing challenge for the energy sector to balance operational needs with environmental responsibilities.

While TNB’s recycling centre is a significant step forward, it also signals the need for continuous innovation and exploration of alternative technologies that could eventually replace SF6.