Thermal plasma decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons

Dichlorodifluoromethane was decomposed by a thermal argon plasma generated by a DC are discharge. The experiments and the kinetic calculations showed that the complete decomposition of the chlorofluorocarbon proceeded with the simultaneous additions of hydrogen and oxygen. Both the expertimental and calculated results confirmed that it is favorable, for the decomposition, not to quench the products but to add an excess of hydrogen over the stoichiometric amount, which leads to a reduction in chlorine formation.