High-capacity SF6 recovery unit mounted on a two-wheel cart
When a handcart falls short for recovering the SF6 of high-voltage circuit breakers and switchgear, but the job does not justify a skid- or trailer-mounted unit, the answer is a high-capacity portable unit with on-board liquid storage. The AGRU-8 transfers up to 51 kg/h of SF6 on equipment up to 256 kV, leaves a residual pressure below 1 mbar (recovering 99.6% of the gas, 99.9% with the optional vacuum compressor) and liquefies it with an oil-less compressor rated up to 69 bar into three on-board cylinders holding up to 160 kg, or into an optional 300 kg tank.
SF6 calculator
Estimate how long the AGRU-8 takes to recover the gas and evacuate your compartment, and how much gas is left inside →AGRU-8 key data
- Application: the AGRU-8 recovers, purifies and stores the SF6 of individual circuit breakers, metal-clad switchgear and bus ducts up to 256 kV.
- Transfer and recovery: the AGRU-8 transfers up to 51 kg/h of SF6 and leaves a residual pressure below 1 mbar; it recovers 99.6% of the gas as standard and 99.9% with the optional upgraded vacuum compressor.
- Compressor: oil-less and direct-drive, with a 1000:1 compression ratio, up to 69 bar and 6.6 m³/h displacement at 60 Hz; a four-pass air-cooled condenser keeps SF6 liquefying at high ambient temperatures in the AGRU-8.
- Storage: the AGRU-8's rack holds three cylinders with up to 160 kg of liquid SF6, or an optional 300 L (300 kg) tank with scale; the gas keeps without refrigeration up to 45.5 °C and the auxiliary connection accepts tanks rated at 40 bar minimum.
- Evacuation: the AGRU-8's 25 m³/h vacuum pump (40 m³/h optional) evacuates air and moisture from the equipment below 1 mbar, with a blank-off pressure of 0.08 mbar.
- Purification: the AGRU-8 purifies the gas twice on every routine with activated alumina (D1 and D2), 5X molecular sieve (P1) and a 0.1 µm particulate filter (F1); filters are changed every 50 compressor hours.
- Operation and power: the AGRU-8 switches modes with a single valve (optional PLC touchscreen control), runs on 220 V, single-phase, 50/60 Hz, measures 1900 × 1140 × 1470 mm and weighs 432 kg.
Advantages
A mid-range capacity, properly sized
It is built for jobs that have outgrown a manual cart but do not justify a platform-mounted or trailer-mounted unit: it stores up to 160 kg of gas on board in three cylinders, or 300 kg with the optional tank.
Oil-less liquefaction up to 69 bar
The oil-less, direct-drive high-pressure compressor delivers a 1000:1 compression ratio and reaches 69 bar, liquefying the gas even in hot climates with the help of a four-stage fan-cooled condenser.
Double purification on every routine
During recovery and re-pressurisation the gas passes through the filtration twice: activated alumina for moisture, molecular sieve for arcing by-products and a 0.1 µm particulate filter, with a colour-change moisture indicator.
Single-valve operation
Switching between the working modes takes just one valve, and the filters are replaced without disconnecting piping or using special tools.
Storage with no limit
An auxiliary connection accepts external tanks, and the unit consolidates partially used SF6 cylinders into a single container.
Applications
- Recovery and purification of SF6 in circuit breakers, metal-clad switchgear and busbars up to 256 kV.
- Evacuation of air and moisture from the equipment before filling, down to less than 1 mbar.
- Consolidation of partially used SF6 cylinders.
- Regulated filling of equipment from the on-board storage or from cylinders.
About the product
The unit is mounted on a reinforced two-wheel cart, with a lifting eyebolt, a hook for the 3 m hoses and a power cord. The 25 m³/h vacuum pump evacuates air and moisture down to less than 1 mbar and can be upgraded to 40 m³/h; standard recovery returns 99.6% of the gas, rising to 99.9% with the optional vacuum compressor.
Standard power supply is 220 V, single-phase, at 50/60 Hz, with other voltages available on request. Available accessories: PLC control with touchscreen, stainless steel piping and hoses, tank heater, electronic scale, DN-20 connections, 6 m hoses, a 300 L tank and SF6 cylinders.
Technical specifications
| Designed for | Circuit breakers and switchgear up to 256 kV |
| SF6 transfer rate | Up to 51 kg/h |
| SF6 residual pressure | Below 1 mbar |
| Compressor | Oil-less, direct drive, 1000:1, up to 69 bar |
| Vacuum pump | 25 m³/h (below 1 mbar); optional 40 m³/h |
| Storage | Up to 160 kg in cylinders or 300 kg with optional tank |
| Power supply | 220 V, single-phase, 50/60 Hz |
| Dimensions and weight | 1900 × 1140 × 1470 mm; 432 kg |
| Gas recovery | 99.6% as standard; 99.9% with optional vacuum compressor |
| Filtration | Activated alumina (D1 and D2); 5X molecular sieve (P1); 0.1 µm particulate (F1) |
| Compressor displacement / vacuum pump blank-off pressure | 6.6 m³/h (60 Hz) / 0.08 mbar |
Frequently asked questions
When is the AGRU-8 a better fit than a handcart or a trailer-mounted unit?
For circuit breakers, switchgear and bus ducts up to 256 kV whose SF6 volume exceeds a handcart: the AGRU-8 transfers up to 51 kg/h and stores up to 160 kg on board in three cylinders, or 300 kg with the optional tank, without the bulk and cost of a skid- or trailer-mounted unit.
Does the AGRU-8 liquefy SF6 in hot climates?
Yes. Its oil-less compressor reaches 69 bar and a four-pass air-cooled condenser helps liquefy the gas at high ambient temperatures; once in the cylinders or the tank, liquid SF6 keeps without refrigeration up to 45.5 °C.
How much gas does it transfer per hour?
SF6 transfer reaches 51 kg/h.
Does the recovered gas return clean to the equipment?
Yes. On every routine the gas is purified twice: it is dried, decomposition by-products are retained and it is filtered to 0.1 µm before returning to service.
How is the recovered gas stored?
In liquid form, in the on-board cylinder rack (160 kg) or in the optional 300 kg tank; the auxiliary connection accepts external tanks.
What percentage of the gas is recovered?
The standard configuration recovers 99.6% of the SF6; with the optional vacuum compressor it reaches 99.9%, with residual pressure below 1 mbar.
Does maintenance require special tools?
No. The filters are replaced without disconnecting piping, every 50 hours of compressor operation, and the vacuum pump oil is checked at every start-up.
