SBIR Phase II: Photochemical Process for Transformation of Ozone-Depleting Substances into Environmentally Benign and Commercially Valuable Products

SBIR第二期项目将导致一种新技术的全面商业化，这种新技术能够将现有的消耗臭氧层物质（氟氯化碳和哈龙）库存转化为环境上可接受的和具有商业价值的产品。提出的光-氢脱卤（PHD）技术利用紫外线（UV）辐射与还原气氛相结合获得的协同效应。紫外线作用通过碳卤素键裂解促进链的引发。长链自由基反应生成所需的产物。第一阶段的研究已经证明了可行性。用三种具有代表性的氟氯化碳进行的实验结果令人信服地、毫不含糊地表明，PHD工艺可以实现选择性和高转化率，每转换一磅氟氯化碳的成本低于1美元，低于目前任何一种破坏技术。第二阶段的主要目标是设计、建造和使用一个中试规模的原型进行现场演示。为了实现这一目标，制订了一项三项任务的工作计划。它包括：(a)氟氯化碳的实验规模研究和扩展到哈龙，辅以化学动力学建模；(b)设计和建造一个中试规模的原型；(c)现场演示和性能评估。第二阶段的成功完成将最终导致第三阶段的商业化。这一过程将导致一种“绿色”技术，将消耗臭氧层物质以环境安全的方式转化为具有商业价值的产品。目前估计有45亿磅的氯氟烃库存，这构成了一个严重的处置问题，将成为生产高价值产品的重要原料。根据初步成本估算，现有的对环境造成巨大负担的库存可以通过这一过程转化为价值约40亿美元的可销售产品。

This SBIR Phase II project will lead to a full-scale commercialization of a novel technology capable of transforming existing stockpiles of ozone-depleting substances (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Halons) into environmentally acceptable and commercially valuable products. The proposed Photo-Hydro-Dehalogenation (PHD) technology exploits a synergistic effect obtained by combining ultraviolet (UV) radiation with a reducing atmosphere. UV fight promotes chain initiation by carbon-halogen bond cleavage. Long-chain radical reactions lead to formation of desirable products. Phase I research has already proven feasibility. Experimental results with three representative chlorofluorocarbons have convincingly and unambiguously demonstrated that the PHD process can achieve selective and high conversion at a cost of less than $ 1/lb of CFC converted, which is lower than any current destruction technology. The primary objective of Phase II is to design, construct and employ a pilot-scale prototype for a field demonstration. To meet this objective, a three-task work plan has been developed. It includes: (a) bench-scale studies of CFCs and extension to Halons, supplemented by chemical kinetic modeling, (b) design and construction of a pilot-scale prototype, and (c) field demonstration and performance evaluation. Successful completion of Phase II will ultimately lead to Phase III commercialization. This process should lead to a `green` technology for environmentally safe transformation of ozone-depleting substances into commercially valuable products. The current stockpile of estimated 4.5 billion pounds of CFCs, which poses a serious disposal problem, will become a vital feedstock to produce high value products. Based on preliminary cost estimates, the existing stockpile which represents a huge environmental liability can be turned with the process into about 4 billion dollars of salable products.