Decomposition experiment of hydro-fluorocarbon gas by pulsed TEA CO 2 laser

Abstract

This paper deals with a trial experiment of decomposition of environmental gas R-12 by the pulsed TEA CO2 laser. Nowadays refrigerant R-12 and other hydro-chlorofluorocarbon gases are strongly prohibited to produce, as these gases have both strong ozone-depleting effects and green-house effects. The gases of already produced by huge amount should be decomposed as fast as possible by suitable technical methods. Along with the conventional kiln furnace of cement, arc discharge and the HG discharge are good methods for the freon decomposition. Both methods, however, have the weakness of electrode damages (arcing) or low-pressure operation (HF discharge). High power CO2 laser seems to have good properties for such decomposition with favorable wavelength for the absorption. In our small-scale experiment of gas decomposition a pulsed TEA CO2 laser of several joules is utilized to produce the plasma in R-12 flow channel of glass tube. The withdrawal of decomposed gases is performed by Ca alkalized water. The deposit mass is measured, and powder X-ray diffraction measurement is carried out on the deposit powder. The possibility of our laser gas decomposition is discussed.