Hidrofluorokarbonë

Hidrofluorokarbonë, commonly abbreviated as HFCs, are a group of man-made chemicals that contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon. They are used primarily as refrigerants, propellants, and solvents in various industrial and consumer applications. HFCs are known for their high global warming potential, which is a measure of how much heat a given mass of a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. This makes them a significant contributor to climate change.

The most common HFCs include HFC-134a, HFC-23, and HFC-152a. HFC-134a, for example, is widely used in automotive air conditioning systems. HFC-23 is a byproduct of the production of HFC-134a and is a potent greenhouse gas. HFC-152a is used in some refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Due to their environmental impact, the use of HFCs is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, aims to phase down HFCs to mitigate their contribution to climate change.

HFCs are typically produced through a process that involves the reaction of hydrogen fluoride with an alkene. The resulting product is then purified to remove any impurities. The production of HFCs is regulated by various international agreements and national regulations to minimize their environmental impact.