Oxidative decomposition of chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) in the presence of methane over γ-alumina-supported metal or metal oxide catalysts

The oxidative decomposition of chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) in the presence of methane was investigated over gamma-alumina-supported metal or metal oxide catalysts. gamma-Alumina-supported zinc(II) oxide, vanadium(V) oxide, Cr(III) and Pt catalysts exhibited high activity in the decomposition of CFC-115. gamma-Alumina-supported chromium(III) oxide and platinum catalysts differed from the other catalysts in that the conversion of CFC-115 increased with increase in the partial pressure of methane. It is considered that water produced by the combustion of methane was provided this catalytic reaction for the decomposition of CFC-115. To investigate this theory, the authors calculated the amount of water produced by conversion of methane on gamma-alumina-supported platinum catalyst. Then, corresponding amount of water was fed instead of methane and the decomposition of CFC-115 these two cases were compared. It was found that without methane the CFC-115 conversion decreased. Therefore, it can be concluded that methane combustion not only provide water to CFCs but also provide heat to the catalysts that serve to accelerate the decomposition of CFCs.