Environmental risks of new-generation fluorocarbons in replacement of potent greenhouse gases
by Wen-Tien Tsai
International Journal of Global Warming (IJGW), Vol. 5, No. 1, 2013

Abstract: This article aimed to address two categories of environment friendly fluorocarbons (i.e., hydrofluoroethers and hydrofluoro-olefins), which are used as replacements for potent greenhouse gases like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). In the work, the author will introduce the new-generation fluorocarbons on the basis of their excellent data on the environmental properties (e.g., atmospheric lifetime and global warming potential) and safety (e.g., flammability and exposure limit/level). Further, the values of photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) for these fluorocarbons and some HFC compounds are estimated using the Wallington method and the rate constant data for the reaction of OH radical, showing that their POCP values are largely lower than those of common hydrocarbons. Based on the molecular structure and possible fate mechanism, these fluorocarbons and their decomposition products (especially in trifluoroacetic acid and fluoride) may pose adversely environmental risks, including flammability and fluoride hazards. Currently, hydrofluoroethers (HFE) such as HFE-7000 (C₃H₇OCH₃), and hydrofluoro-olefins (HFO), including HFO-1234yf (CH₂ = CFCF₃) and HFO-1234ze (CHF = CHCF₃), are considered as the probable candidates to replace HCFC and HFC.

Online publication date: Fri, 28-Feb-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Global Warming (IJGW):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com