Life Cycle Inventory Analysis of the Production of a High-performance Foam Blowing Agent HFC-245fa (1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane)

Abstract

A life cycle inventory analysis is described for the production of HFC-245fa (1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane) from basic raw materials to the pure product ready for shipment to customers. The analysis was based on typical industrial operations, assumed to be located in southern USA. It showed the mineral requirements to be mainly salt, fluorspar, sulphur, and limestone, together with natural gas and oil used as feedstock. Energy required in processing totaled 4.4 tons of CO2 equivalent per ton of product, including the energy required to transport raw materials and intermediates between facilities and also a 2% contribution from the release of greenhouse gases other than CO2. Other environmental releases were waste salt brine (to the sea), mineral tailings (landfilled at the fluorspar mine) and anhydrous calcium sulphate (to inert landfill). The quantities of sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere were calculated to be 5 and 1 Kg per ton, respectively. Spent catalysts are not inert and were assumed to be sent to specialist contractors for reclamation or disposal; the transport and energy requirements for this were also included. The process energy requirement amounts to <5% of the global warming potential of HFC-245fa indicating that the principal way of reducing the climate impact of HFC-245fa is to minimize emissions of the material itself during use and during disposal of equipment containing it.