What are CFCs and why were they produced?

What are CFCs and why were they produced?

CFCs were developed as ideal gases used as refrigerants for refrigerators. Because of their special characteristics, inflammability and non-toxicity to human beings, CFCs were massively produced and consumed, particularly in developed countries, after the 1960’s.

Is CFC produced naturally?

Many greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide, while others are synthetic. Those that are man-made include the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), as well as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

How do CFCs leak into the atmosphere?

CFCs are found in old cooling equipment, such as refrigerators and the air-conditioning units of automobiles and buildings. Over time, the refrigerants leak out into the atmosphere. As aging appliances and chillers are retired, CFCs are collected, cleaned, and sold for reuse.

Is CFC still used in AC?

Most refrigerants found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers contain fluorocarbons, and many fluorocarbon compounds contain chlorine. The atmospherically benign HFC refrigerants will remain in production, but CFC and HCFC refrigerants will be phased out. Production of CFCs ceased in 1995.

Is CFC not a greenhouse gas?

Introduction. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and aerosols are very important greenhouse gases. CFCs, HFCs, and PFCs are all human made and are not produced by any other process but our activities.

Are CFC still used today?

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants were commonly used in equipment manufactured before 1995. The atmospherically benign HFC refrigerants will remain in production, but CFC and HCFC refrigerants will be phased out. Production of CFCs ceased in 1995. HCFC production will cease in 2020 (HCFC-22) or 2030 (HCFC-123).

Is CFC 12 still used?

While use of CFC-12 in new vehicles has been banned since 1994, some vehicles built before then may still use it if they have not already been retrofitted to a non-ozone depleting refrigerant and they are still on the road.

What is the number of atoms in CFC?

Individual CFC molecules are labeled with a unique numbering system. For example, the CFC number of 11 indicates the number of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine (e.g. CCl 3 F as CFC-11).

What are CFCs and what are they used for?

They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants. CFCs are classified as halocarbons, a class of compounds that contain atoms of carbon and halogen atoms.

Why are CFC’s still leaking into the atmosphere?

MIT researchers have found that much of the current emission of CFC-11 and CFC-12 likely stems from large CFC “banks” — old equipment such as building insulation foam, refrigerators and cooling systems, and foam insulation, that was manufactured before the global phaseout of CFCs and is still leaking the gases into the atmosphere.

How long does a CFC molecule stay in the atmosphere?

CFC components have a life cycle in the atmosphere of up to 100 years. So one free chlorine atom coming from a CFC molecule can cause a huge amount of damage and destroy ozone molecules for many years.