Case Study: Delivering Reliable SF₆ GIS Vacuum Evacuation for a Remote Hydroelectric Dam
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
Topic: SF6 Vacuum Evacuation System.
Location: Hydro Electric Dam Western Canada
Problem: A large Hydro Electric Dam in western Canada had major modernization projects completed over the past several years which included significant SF₆ GIS bus work. The utility required a specialized vacuum system to match what the GIS OEM had used at the time of installation. This equipment is used to condition the GIS equipment prior to SF6 filling. This equipment was originally supplied by Enervac but was no longer at the station. The equipment was required to perform vacuum evacuation on several parallel GIS zones with volumes up to 6.4 m3 (226 ft3) at pressures down to 0.5 Torr (0.66 mbar). Nominal flow rate was required to be at 600m3/h (21,189 ft3/h).
Solution: Due to the remote location, reliability and availability of spare parts are
critical. Enervac provided a system utilizing parallel vacuum pumps from a proven reliable supplier to ensure longevity, redundancy and reliability. The equipment included a manifold with four independent DN20 ports and individual vacuum measurement ports to allow for parallel GIS zone operations. An automatic isolation valve protects compartments under vacuum if there is a loss of power, ensuring vacuum integrity is maintained. Digital instrumentation is used to measure vacuum levels reliably with 0.001 Torr precision.
Why this is important:
· Prevents gas loss: SF₆ is expensive and has a high global warming potential.
· Ensures safety: Leaks can compromise insulation and lead to equipment failure.
· Regulatory compliance: SF₆ emissions are tightly regulated in many countries.
Results: Enervac delivered a reliable vacuum system with complete with a factory technician on site to ensure startup and functionality of the equipment aligned with site requirements.
Conclusion: The Enervac vacuum evacuation system provided a process that was both cost-effective and reliable.
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