Trace Analysis of C4F7N Insulating Gas Mixtures by Spontaneous Raman Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography

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Abstract
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl) propanenitrile (C4F7N) is being researched as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for applications in gas-insulated switchgear. We independently assessed the effectiveness of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and a novel method of feedback-assisted multipass cavity spontaneous Raman spectroscopy (SRS) for the trace quantification of impurities in C4F7N and its related byproducts. A total of 14 gases were identified with estimated concentrations as low as 20 ppm (ppm) for C3F6 using GC-MS and 7.4 ppm for CH4 using SRS and as high as 500 ppm for CF4 using GC-MS and 1430 ppm for CO using SRS. While GC-MS is highly effective in selectively detecting and quantifying trace contaminants, it necessitates separate detectors for various gases, such as CH4 and H-2. SRS succeeded in detecting CF4 and C2F6 at concentrations of 465 and 100 ppm, respectively, and in placing an upper bound of several hundred ppm for the other analytes. Crucially, SRS holds potential for portability-and thus for field applications-in gas-insulated switchgear equipment diagnostics.
Funding Information
  • Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (2116275)

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