Industrial application of chemical degradation for SF 6 in an air environment

Abstract This paper presents an integrated recovery and degradation technology for effective management of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) in high-voltage insulation equipment. A heterostructured Fe 2 O 3 -C-rectorite (FCL) composite material was developed, which facilitates efficient SF 6 adsorption and catalytic activation. Comprehensive characterization confirms the presence of a well-mixed structure and electron-deficient Fe active sites. The proposed process combines gas recovery down to 10 kPa with catalytic degradation at 20-50 kPa, achieving near-zero SF 6 emissions through multi-cycle dilution while significantly reducing treatment time. The FCL catalyst exhibits exceptional long-term stability, maintaining complete SF 6 degradation for over 5,600 hours. With its robust performance, low cost, and scalable synthesis, this technology offers a practical and sustainable solution for SF 6 emission control in the power industry.