Predicting the Dielectric Strength of c-C4F8 and SF6 Gas Mixtures by Monte Carlo Method

An improved Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the motion of electrons in c-C_4F_8 and SF_6 gas mixtures for pulsed townsend discharge. The electron swarm parameters such as effective ionization coefficient, [AKα-] and drift velocity over the E/N range from 280～700 Td(1Td=10-21 V·m2) were calculated by employing a set of cross sections available in literature. From the variation cure of [AKα-] with SF_6 partial pressure p, the limiting field (E/N)_lim of gas mixture at different gas content was determined. It is found that the limiting field of c-C_4F_8 and SF_6 gas mixture is higher than that of pure SF_6 at any SF_6 mixture ratio. Simulation results show excellent agreement with experiment data available in previous literature.     

Monte Carlo simulation of electron swarms parameters in c-C4F8/CF4 gas mixtures

The swarm parametes for c-C₄F₈/CF₄ mixtures, including the density-normalized effective ionization coefficient, drift velocity and mean energy were calculated using Monte-Carlo method with the null collision technique. The overall density-reduced electric field strength could be varied between 150 and 500 Td, while the c-C₄F₈ content in gas mixtures is varied in the range of 0–100%. The value of the density-normalized effective ionization coefficient shows a strong dependence on the c-C₄F₈ content, becoming more electronegative as the content of c-C₄F₈ is increased. The drift velocity of c-C₄F₈/CF₄ mixtures is more affected by CF₄. The calculated limiting field strength for c-C₄F₈/CF₄ mixtures is higher than that of SF₆/CF₄. Foundation item: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50777041)     

Measurement of swarm parameters of c-C4F8/CO2 and its insulation characteristics analysis

In c-C₄F₈ and c-C₄F₈/CO₂ mixtures, the swarm parameters including ionization coefficient, attachment coefficient and effective ionization coefficient were obtained at the ratio of the electric field strength to the gas density between 150–550 Td by the steady-state Townsend (SST) method. Static breakdown voltages at each ratio were also measured at the SST condition. The limiting field strengths were obtained by two methods: computing the density-normalized effective ionization coefficient as a function of the overall density-reduced electric field strength; and measuring static breakdown voltages as a function of the product of gas density and electrode separation. Good agreement was obtained by these two methods, which ensures the correctness of the former method. The limiting field strengths of c-C₄F₈ and c-C₄F₈/CO₂ mixtures were compared with those of pure SF₆, SF₆/CO₂ mixtures and pure c-C₄F₈. It is found that buffer gas CO₂ does not reduce the limiting field strengths of c-C₄F₈ greatly, the limiting field strengths of c-C₄F₈/CO₂ mixtures are higher than those of SF₆/CO₂ mixtures or even pure SF₆, and so c-C₄F₈/CO₂ mixtures are suggested to be possible substitutes for SF₆. Foundation item: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50777041)