Studies on the decomposition of the HFC-134a under the various reaction condition

Abstract

The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that have been used in many refrigerant industries was prohibited by the Montreal Protocol (1987) [1]. As alternatives, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have begun to use as refrigerants in many industries. But HFCs were established as one of the six major greenhouse gases by the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and they will be phased out by the Kigali agreement in 2016 because of their high Greenhouse warming potential (GWP) [2-5].

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) is a refrigerant commonly used in automobiles, frozen containers, and beverage vending machines. Exposed refrigerants from discarded cars and containers go into the atmosphere, accelerating the greenhouse effect. Much research is being conducted to decompose and convert HFC-134a in various ways. HFC-134a can be decomposed or converted into valuable materials through non-catalytic and catalytic reactions.

The decomposition of HFC-134a was performed in the fixed bed reactor under 600 ~ 800 oC, 1 bar, and the atmosphere of H2. It was found that various fluorinated monomers were produced, and there was a major problem in controlling carbon formation. The selectivity of monomers in products can be controlled by the hydrogenation of HFC-134a. The results were compared with catalytic and non-catalytic reactions.