Hydrofluoroolefin
Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are
HFO refrigerants are categorized as having zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP) and so offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants. Compared to HCFCs and HFCs, HFOs have shorter tropospheric lifetimes due to the reactivity of the C=C bond with hydroxyl radicals and chlorine radicals.[1] This quick reactivity prevents them from reaching the stratosphere and participating in the depletion of good ozone, leading to strong interest in the development and characterization of new HFO blends for use as refrigerants.[2] Many refrigerants in the HFO class are inherently stable chemically and inert, non toxic, and non-flammable or mildly flammable. Many HFOs have the proper freezing and boiling points to be useful for refrigeration at common temperatures. They have also been adopted as blowing agents, i.e. in production of insulation foams, food industry, construction materials, and others. However, HFOs degrade to produce trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent toxic chemical which can lead to acidification of water bodies, and which can accumulate in wetlands, a sensitive ecosystem.[3]
HFOs are being developed as "fourth generation" refrigerants with 0.1% of the GWP of HFCs.[4][5][6]
Examples
HFOs in use include:
- 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze).[7]
- heat recovery and medium temperature heat pumps.
- trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz-E) also has good properties, and is being investigated.[8][9][10][11] (developments led by Dr Kostas Kontomaris, from DuPont Flurochemicals; multiple publications in 2012-2019 and dozens of related patents).
The largest brand of HFOs is Opteon, produced by Chemours (a DuPont spin-off).[12]
See also
References
- S2CID 106382701.
- .
- ISBN 978-90-04-68408-9, retrieved 2024-04-25
- ^ Pizzetti, Marianna; Petricci, Elena (May 2012). "Heterogeneous Catalysis Under Microwave Heating" (PDF). La Chimica & l'Industria. 4. Società Chimica Italiana: 78–81.
- ^ HFO, i nuovi gas refirgerant
- ^ Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) Archived 2012-02-04 at the Wayback Machine, European Fluorocarbons Technical Committee
- ^ Honeywell Sells Novel Low-Global-Warming Blowing Agent To European Customers Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, Honeywell press release, Oct. 7, 2008
- ^ Mordock, Jeff. "Court ruling could imperil Chemours' most profitable product". delawareonline. Retrieved 2020-05-18.