C4-FN

C4-FN
Names
IUPAC name
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)propanenitrile
Other names
    • Novec 4710
    • Fluoronitrile
    • Perfluoroisobutyronitrile
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 806-451-7
  • InChI=1S/C4F7N/c5-2(1-12,3(6,7)8)4(9,10)11
    Key: AASDJASZOZGYMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C(#N)C(C(F)(F)F)(C(F)(F)F)F
Properties
C4F7N
Molar mass 195.040 g·mol−1
Density 8.1459 kg·m−3 (1.0 bar at 20 °C)
Boiling point −5 °C (23 °F; 268 K)
Critical point (T, P) 385.996 K
2501.524 kPa
Vapor pressure 2.5174 bar (at 20 °C)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

C4-FN (C4-fluoronitrile, C4FN) is a perfluorinated compound developed as a high-dielectric gas for high-voltage switchgear.[1] It has the structure (CF3)2CFC≡N, which can be described as perfluoroisobutyronitrile, falling under the category of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.[2][3]

It is promoted as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for interruption and insulation applications, as it has insulation properties twice that of SF6 and a relatively low global warming potential (GWP) compared with SF6 that is the most potent greenhouse gas. The compound has been introduced into the market by 3M under the denomination Novec 4710[4] and commercialized in high voltage equipment by General Electric starting from 2016.[5] It is seen as a credible alternative to SF6 by the European Commission as offering the capability to replace SF6 while keeping the same benefits of dimensional footprint and performance.[6] Several other companies started using C4-FN mixtures for high voltage applications: LS Electric,[7] Hitachi Energy,[8] Hyosung or Hyundai Electric.

C4-FN mixtures refers to the typically used gas mixtures including C4-FN mixed with natural origin gases (O2, CO2, N2) which are used within high-voltage equipment.

There are no other reported applications than electric insulation for the C4-FN mixtures. Apart from typical distribution and transmission high-voltage equipment, research has been done for applications within the Large Hadron Collider.[9]

  1. ^ Seeger, M.; Smeets, R.; Yan, J.; Ito, H.; Claessens, M.; Dullni, E.; Falkingham, L.; Franck, C. M.; Gentils, F.; Hartmann, W.; Kieffel, Y.; Jia, S.; Jones, G.; Mantilla, J.; Pawar, S. (2017). "Recent Trends in Development of High Voltage Circuit Breakers with SF6 Alternative Gases". Plasma Physics and Technology. 4 (1): 8–12. doi:10.14311/ppt.2017.1.8. hdl:20.500.11850/202543. ISSN 2336-2634.
  2. ^ OECD (2021). "Reconciling Terminology of the Universe of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Recommendations and Practical Guidance" (PDF). OECD Series on Risk Management. Paris: OECD Publishing. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2021.
  3. ^ Wang Z, Buser AM, Cousins IT, Demattio S, Drost W, Johansson O, et al. (December 2021). "A New OECD Definition for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances". Environmental Science & Technology. 55 (23): 15575–15578. Bibcode:2021EnST...5515575W. doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c06896. PMID 34751569. S2CID 243861839.
  4. ^ 3M (July 2022). "3M™ Novec™ 4710 Insulating Gas" (PDF). 3M (Datasheet). Retrieved 2022-10-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ National Grid (August 2021). "Delivering our environmental future, 2020/2021" (PDF). National Grid (Slides). p. 40. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  6. ^ European Commission (2020-09-30). Report from the commission assessing the availability of alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases in switchgear and related equipment, including medium-voltage secondary switchgear. Brussels: European Commission.
  7. ^ LS Electric (2023-03-02). "Eco-friendly Switchgears - World's first 170kV 50kA g3 GIS" (PDF). LS Electric. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  8. ^ Hitachi Energy (2022-10-04). "Hitachi Energy announces new EconiQTM services to help customers achieve their sustainability goals". Hitachi Energy (Press release). Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  9. ^ Rigoletti, Gianluca (2022-03-25). Studies to reduce greenhouse gases emissions from particles detectors operation at the CERN LHC experiments (PDF) (Thesis) (in French). CERN.