SF6 Handling Safety &

Transportation
Eric Campbell
DILO Company, Inc.
11642 Pyramid Drive
Odessa, FL 33556
(727) 376-5593

SF6 is
Environmentally damaging

1 lb. of SF6 = 11 TONS of CO2

Easily contained & cleaned

Indefinitely reusable

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Pure SF6 is
Non-toxic
Inert
Completely safe
Asphyxiation
Frostbite

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Faulted SF6 is
Gas exposed to >300F
Breaker operation
Internal fault/flash-over
Can contain toxic & poisonous gases
S2F10 main component to nerve gas
High concentrations of HF & SO2

Gas can be faulted outside of a breaker

Smoking
Heaters
Welding
Vehicle running at idle
11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Protective Equipment

Depends on the size of the equipment

Full-face respirator w/acid vapor cartridges
Gloves to cover exposed skin
If full entry, Tyvek body suits
HEPA vacuum to remove any visible powder
Neutralizing solution for accidental exposure

Any alkaline solution (i.e. baking soda & water)

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Procedure
After gas removal, equalize
Using dry air/N2
Immediately vacuum powder

Replace desiccant

Keep desiccant fresh

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Cylinder Handling
Avoid over-filling
Verify that cylinders have tare weights

Separate cylinders

Keep full & empties far apart

Start a partial rack
Weigh all cylinders for content

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Pressure issues
Breakers are under pressure

Pressure extends to top of bushings

Bushings are typically made of glass
Protect bushing when working on them

De-pressurize when moving breaker

Verify that pressure is 0 psig before
opening

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Federal DOT Requirements

SF6 is a DOT classified hazardous
material
All weight limits are aggregate;
Weight of cylinder and cap must
included in total

Severe penalties for knowingly

avoiding compliance
Up to 5yrs in prison
Up to $27,500 in fines

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

Federal DOT Requirements

SF6 may only be transported in
DOT approved containers at
pressures greater than 25PSIG
@ 68F
Cylinders are the ONLY DOT
approved container

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

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Federal DOT Requirements

Materials of Trade Exemption

Allows for up to 220lbs. Of hazardous material to

be transported without documentation

>220 lbs. but <1001 lbs. paper work is required

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Shipping Manifest (i.e. bill of lading form)

>1001 lbs. considered bulk transportation

In addition to MSDS & Shipping manifest;

Driver must carry HazMat endorsement

Vehicle must be placarded (Class 2.2, UN1080)

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

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Filling Cylinders
Anyone can fill a cylinder
DOT requirements:

Only cylinder owner can fill

Hydrostatic test date must be current

5 years from last stamped date (i.e. 10/93)

With a star (*), 10 years

For steel 115lb. bottles:

Tare weight = fill weight (1:1)

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

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Summary SF6 is

Indefinitely reusable
Environmentally damaging
Safe for operator when new
Dangerous when faulted requires PPE
Faulted around open flame or heat
Under pressure
Strictly DOT regulated as a hazmat
Easily consolidated into cylinders

11/24/2003

DILO Company, Inc.

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