BELZONA ELASTOMERS SEAL SF6 GAS LEAKS AT HYDROELECTRIC FACILITY

KHIA ID: 1078
Industry: Power (POWR)
Application: GSS-Gaskets, Seals and Shims (GSS)
Substrate: Various metal substrates
Customer Location: Hydroelectric Facility, BC
Application Date: 1993
Products:

Belzona® 2211 (MP Hi-Build Elastomer)

Belzona® 2221 (MP Fluid Elastomer)

Belzona® 1321 (Ceramic S Metal)


Problem: The constant leakage of Sulphur Hexafluride gas (SF6) was considered to be a major environmental problem being 25,000 times as effective a "greenhouse gas" as CO2. System is pressurized to 45 psi.
Photograph Descriptions
  1. Belzona® 2211 MP Hi-Build in the process of being injected into the gap between the two flanges
  2. Another variation of a similar application
  3. Another flange sealed
Application Situation
Leaking joints Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS)
Application Method
Application was carried out in accordance with Belzona Know-How System Leaflet GSS-4. Pinholes in welds were coated with Belzona® 1321. Flanged joints were sealed with Elastomer using a combination of brush application and injection.
Belzona Facts
The Belzona materials applied in 1993 have proven completely effective with joints and welds sealed with Belzona materials remaining sealed for well over a decade now. SF6 consumption has dropped from over 50 bottles per year, to a mere two or three bottles—a saving in excess of $1 million over the decade. Most importantly losses of SF6 into the atmosphere have been minimized, drastically reducing the environmental impact.