Xiaoxing Zhang
Wuhan University, P R China
Title: Recent progress in the development of nanomaterials-based sensors for applications in SF6 insulated equipment monitoring
Biography
Biography: Xiaoxing Zhang
Abstract
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulating gas possesses outstanding arc quenching and insulation performance, which is the most, used filled gas in gas-insulated equipment, such as gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), gas-insulated lines (GIL), gas circuit breaker (GCB). However, SF6 gas will inevitably decompose to components (SO2, H2S, SOF2, SO2F2 and CF4 et. al.) under partial discharge and disruptive discharge (surface flashover and creeping discharge) due to the occurred insulation defects in production and long term operation process. The decomposition of SF6, which significantly reduces the dielectric strength of SF6 insulted equipment, may eventually lead to the breakdown of insulation equipment and even paralyze the whole power supply system. Therefore, detecting the insulation status becomes indispensable in an attempt to ensure the running stability of insulation equipment. Basing on current high sensitive chemi-resistor detection method, the insulation status of SF6-insulated equipment can be monitored on-line in real time through detecting the decomposition components: SO2, H2S, SOF2 and SO2F2. This study introduces the research progress of gas sensors using different materials such as modi-TiO2 nanotubes, single wall carbon nano-tube and polyaniline thin-film. In order to understand to detection mechanism, the adsorption properties for gas molecules of decomposition components on the surface of gas sensitive material are studied based on the Dmol3 module of Materials Studio. In addition, the sensitivity and selectivity of prepared gas sensor to different decomposition components are studied under different pressures, concentration and temperature.