A comprehensive review of contemporary strategies and approaches for the treatment of HFC‐134a

Abstract

This review addresses the treatment methods for 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) and its significant sources of global emission. HFC-134a is considered to be one of the most common hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with high global warming potential (GWP). The primary emission sources of HFC-134a are its use as a refrigerant, and in the industrial sector, during the manufacturing of foam. International regulations have addressed the concerns related to HFC-134a treatment technologies, and more stringent guidelines have been introduced. Diverse strategies and treatment technologies are employed for the reduction in emission of HFC-134a, that is, recovery methods, incineration, plasma treatment, and catalytic decomposition (pyrolysis and hydrolysis) technologies. HFC-134a decomposition is an important step when coping with climate change. All the methods have shown promising results for HFC-134a abatement. It would be interesting to utilize these technologies for the production of useful materials.