Treatment of the potent greenhouse gas, CHF3—An overview

CHF3 is a potent and synthetic greenhouse gas with global warming potential of 11,700 times higher than that of CO2. It is mainly produced as a by-product during the manufacture of HCFC-22. Many methods have been proposed for the treatment of CHF3, including thermal oxidation (incineration), catalytic hydrolysis, plasma destruction and conversion to environmentally benign compounds. This review reports the recent research advances in the treatment of CHF3 waste. It has been found that pyrolysis process, especially in the presence of a catalyst, and reaction of CHF3 with I2 or CH4, has great potential for the conversion of CHF3 to valuable and environmentally benign chemicals. In this regard, the review is largely focused on the conversion of CHF3 to C2F4, CF3I and VDF, as well as the chemistry involved.

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► CHF3 can be incinerated with LNG at 1473 K.
► CHF3 can be decomposed to CO2 via plasma or hydrolysis.
► CHF3 can be converted to TFE via pyrolysis.
► CHF3 can be the source material for the production of VDF and CF3I.