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

The oxidative decomposition of chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) in the pre sence of methane was investigated over gamma-alumina-supported metal or met al oxide catalysts. gamma-Alumina-supported zinc(II) oxide, vanadium(V) oxi de, Cr(III) and Pt catalysts exhibited high activity in the decomposition o f CFC-115. gamma-Alumina-supported chromium(III) oxide and platinum catalys ts differed from the other catalysts in that the conversion of CFC-115 incr eased with increase in the partial pressure of methane. It is considered th at 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 w ater 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 conversi on decreased. Therefore, it can be concluded that methane combustion not on ly provide water to CFCs but also provide heat to the catalysts that serve to accelerate the decomposition of CFCs.