Electric field effect on metallic particle contamination in a common enclosure gas insulated busduct

Sulphur hexaflouride (SF₆) is generally found to be very sensitive to field perturbations such as those caused by conductor surface imperfections and by conducting particle contaminants. A study of CIGRE group suggests that 20% of failures in gas insulated substations (GIS) is due to the existence of various metallic contaminations in the form of loose particles. The presence of contamination can therefore be a problem with gas-insulated substations operating at high fields. If the effects of these particles could be eliminated, then this would improve the reliability of compressed gas insulated substation. It would also offer the possibility of operating at higher fields to affect a potential reduction in the GIS size with subsequent savings in the cost of manufacture and installation. The purpose of this paper is to develop techniques, which will formulate the basic equations that will govern the movement of metallic particles like aluminum and copper in a bus duct. The simulation considers the electric field effect on particle movement and the results have been presented and analyzed

I. Introduction

Demand for electrical power has become one of the major challenges faced by the developing countries. Considering the relatively low per capita power consumption, there is a constant need for power capacity addition and technological upgradation whereas non-conventional energy systems have proved to be good alternative sources for energy. In developing countries like India most of the additional power has been met by conventional electrical sources. Hence, the emphasis has shifted towards improving the reliability of transmission and distribution systems and ensuring that the innovations are not harmful to the environment.