The destruction of chlorofluorocarbons during ChemChar gasification

Abstract

Due to the hazardous implications of releasing CFCs into the environment, studies on their thermal destruction are necessary. The use of incineration to destroy these compounds, while effective, have produced polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) while releasing large amounts of corrosive HCl and HF. The ChemChar gasification process was evaluated for its ability to destroy two CFCs, l,l,2‐trichloro‐l,2,2‐trifluoroethane (CFC‐113) and dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC‐13). It was found that DRE values of > 99.9998 % are obtained for the destruction of l,l,2‐trichloro‐l,2,2‐trifluoroethane while not producing any PCDD/PCDF. Additionally, the chloride (as the potassium salt) and fluoride (as carbon‐fluoride) that result from the destruction of both CFCs are retained in the gasification system. This study illustrates that the ChemChar gasification process holds significant promise as an alternative to incineration for the safe and complete destruction of CFCs.