Search for Alternative Refrigerants: A Molecular Approach.
Search for Alternative Refrigerants: A Molecular
Approach.
(4004 K)
McLinden, M. O.; Didion, D.
IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration)
Conference. Proceedings. July 1988, 1988.
Keywords:
refrigerants; hydrocarbons; molecular structure; ozone
depletion; databases; temperature; thermodynamics;
evaluation; chlorofluorocarbons; flammability; entropy
Abstract:
The impending production limitation on the fully
halogenated CFC refrigerants is causing an intense
search for possible substitutes. This study reviews the
historical development of the CFC refrigerants and the
relationship between molecular structure and the ozone
depletion and greenhouse warming potentials. It then
demonstrates that the halogenated hydrocarbons (a class
of compounds that includes the CFCs) remain the most
promising candidates for replacements based on both
theoretical thermodynamic arguments and an empirical
data base search. The inevitable practical tradeoffs
among the various candidates are seen to vary in a
systematic fashion based on molecular structure.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899