Projections of National-Gridded Emissions of Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) in China

Abstract

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are being used as substitutes for potent greenhouse gas hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). However, the use and environmental impacts of HFOs are of great concern due to the rapid degradation of HFOs to produce persistent and phytotoxic trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Here, we provide a comprehensive projection of HFO emissions in China during 2024–2060 for the first time. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, China’s HFO emissions are estimated to increase from 1.7 (1.3–2.3) to 148.8 (111.4–185.4) kt in 2024–2060 with cumulative emissions of 2.8 (2.0–3.5) Gt, and cumulative reduced HFCs emissions are evaluated to be 5.4 Gt CO2-equivalent. High HFO emissions would be distributed mainly in the North China Plain and the eastern and coastal areas. HFO-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) contributes most of HFO emissions with a cumulative emission of 1.7 Gt in 2024–2060, while the cumulative increment of TFA deposition from HFO-1234yf emissions would reach 0.4–1.0 Gt. The long-term national-gridded HFO emission inventories can provide scientific support for evaluating the environmental risks of HFOs and developing HFC phase-out pathways for addressing climate change.

Assessing the atmospheric fate of trifluoroacetaldehyde (CF3CHO) and its potential as a new source of fluoroform (HFC-23) using the AtChem2 box model

“…Here we have considered only one of the HFOs known to produce CF 3 CHO, 10,11 and by extension, HFC-23; however, emissions of other CF 3 CHO-producing HFOs are also projected to grow substantially in the coming decades. 34 Our results imply a potential need to reconsider the labelling of HFOs as “low-GWP” alternatives, with more precise quantification of the HFC-23 quantum yield from CF 3 CHO critical for understanding the true climate impact of HFO use.…”

Carbon-Interacted AlF3 Clusters as Robust Catalyst for Dehydrofluorination Reaction with Enhanced Undercoordination and Stability

“…Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are essential raw materials for producing various chemicals and have been intensively used in daily life. , However, compared with CO 2 , HFCs have extremely high global warming potential (GWP), which significantly contributes to the greenhouse effect. , Therefore, it is urgent to find other more environmentally friendly alternatives that have less impact on the environment. Fortunately, the physicochemical properties of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are highly similar to HFCs, exhibiting zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and negligible GWP, which have been considered as the excellent substitutes for HFCs . Moreover, HFCs can be adopted as the feedstocks or intermediates in the production of HFOs via dehydrofluorination, making the process a win-win strategy …”