INVESTIGATION OF THE THERMAL-DESTRUCTION OF CHLOROFLUOROMETHANES IN A TURBULENT FLAME

The destruction of chlorofluoromethanes (CFC's) has been studied in a turbulent jet-stirred burner using either propane or methane as fuel. The flue gases were led through a cooled impinger flask containing water and decane to absorb any chlorinated organic species emitted. The decane was analyzed by Gas-Chromatography using Electron-Capture-Detection (GC-EC). The destruction of the CFC's is 99,995 % or better. Under the proper conditions, the emission of chlorobenzenes in the flue gases is in the ppb range. Combustion with methane is more energy efficient than combustion with propane. This is probably because of the higher hydrogen to carbon ratio available in methane. The fire extinguisher bromotrifluoromethane is destroyed in a similar manner to the Freons(R), but free bromine is formed in the flue gases. The formation of free bromine can be inhibited, however, simply by injection of steam into the flame. This procedure has the additional advantage of reducing the amount of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the flue gases.