Report on CFCs

1. Identify the origins of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons in the

atmosphere
CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons or otherwise known as CFCs are compounds containing only chlorine, fluorine and carbon. CFCs were developed to replace ammonia as a refrigerant in the 1930s because at the time, their properties were considered to be safer than ammonias properties. When molecules of CFCs are used or leaked out causes damage to the ozone layer in the stratosphere. CFCs were used in thing such as: Refrigerants, such as freezers, fridges, air conditioners Aerosol propellants such as insect repellent sprays Solvents for cleaning agents Plastic manufacturing such as blowing agents to form polystyrene foams

Halons Halogens are quite similar to CFCs but halogens are organic compounds that contain carbon, bromine and other halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine and iodine. Halons cause more damage to the ozone layer then CFCs do. Halogens were used in fire extinguishing systems.

2. Discuss the problems associated with the use of CFCs and asses the effectiveness of steps taken to alleviate these problems. (Including relevant equation) Problems associated with the use of CFCs Because of their properties CFCs found an immediate use and was considered to be very chemically stable in the troposphere and non-toxic to living things. Consequently CFCs were vented into the atmosphere which being unstable and insoluble (cant get washed out of the atmospheres by rain) and which then CFCs have a half-life ranging from 60 to 640 years. So this now is a huge problem due to the fact that CFCs eventually find their way to the stratosphere and when struck by UV rays from sunlight, they give off chlorine free radicals and they react with ozone hence destroying it. This process is called photodissociation. UV CF3Cl (g) CF3(g) + Cl(g) UV Cl(g) + O3(g) ClO(g) + O2(g) UV ClO(g) + O(g) Cl(g) + O2(g)
Note: The destructive chlorine is never used up during the reaction and destroys more ozone molecules, continuously repeating the process

Therefore one CFC molecule can do large scale damage to the ozone layer. This destruction of the ozone then creates a zone hole. So then this hole allows harmful UV rays enter in to the earths atmosphere which then is harmful to humans and living things.

Effectiveness of steps taken to alleviate these problems The ozone hole was discovered in 1985 and then people finally realized that CFCs and halons needed to stop being manufactured. The concern was so great that the UN developed the Montreal Protocol in 1992 which outlined these goals that needed to be achieved to phase out halogenated hydrocarbons: Stop using halons by the end of 1994 Cease the manufacture of CFCs by 1996 Complete phase out of CFCs by 21st century

3. Present information from secondary sources to identify alternative

chemical s used to replace CFCs and evaluate the effectiveness of their use as a replacement for CFCs
Since the Montreal Protocol into effect many alternatives to CFCs have been developed. Theses needed to be able to do tasks that CFCs did but in a safer way were some of the new chemicals are better than others. A standard has been Ozone Depletion Potentials (ODP) developed to measure the ability of these new chemicals to destroy ozone. Some of the new chemicals that are replacing CFCs are:

HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) HCFCs are temporary substitutes for CFCs and halons which are hydrogen-containing chlorofluoroalkanes. These are better the CFCs because they can react with OH free radicals in the troposphere to form CO2, H20 and Hydrogen Halides. However these are only a temporary fix to the problem because the reaction is slow and many HCFCs will reach the stratosphere, where the can react and releases chlorine atoms that deplete the ozone layer.

HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) HFCs are even better substitute for CFCs because they do not contain chlorine or bromine atoms meaning that they dont affect the ozone layer. However like their cousins HCFCs they are greenhouse gases which still are a problem. Also HFCs are more expensive and less efficient than CFCs but a small price to pay for protecting the ozone layer.

Applications and replacements for CFCs Application Previously used CFC Replacement CFC-12 (CCl2F2); CFCHFC-23 (CHF3); HFC-134a (CF3CFH2); 11(CCl3F); CFC-13(CClF3); HFC-507 (a 1:1 azeotropic mixture of HFC Refrigeration & HCFC-22 (CHClF2); CFC-113 125 (CF3 CHF2) and HFC-143a air-conditioning (Cl2FCCClF2); CFC-114 (CF3CH3)); HFC 410 (a 1:1 azeotropic (CClF2CClF2); CFC-115 mixture of HFC-32 (CF2H2) and HFC-125 (CF3CClF2); (CF3CF2H)) Propellants in HFC-134a (CF3CFH2); HFC-227ea medicinal CFC-114 (CClF2CClF2) (CF3CHFCF3) aerosols CFC-11 (CCl3F); CFC 113 Blowing agents HFC-245fa (CF3CH2CHF2); HFC-365 mfc (Cl2FCCClF2); HCFC-141b for foams (CF3CH2CF2CH3) (CCl2FCH3) Solvents, degreasing CFC-11 (CCl3F); CFC-113 None agents, cleaning (CCl2FCClF2) agents

Bibliography Excel HSC Chemistry, 3.4, p121-128

http://ozone.unep.org/new_site/en/montreal_protocol.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorofluorocarbon http://members.iinet.net.au/~amunra/HSC%20notes/Chemistry/Chemical%20Monit oring%20-%20TeKk.pdf http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/greensolutions/greenfreeze/