Atmospheric chemistry of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane

A one-dimensional eddy diffusion model was used to investigate the fate of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (F-134a) in the atmosphere. The substitution of F-134a for F-12 (CF2Cl2) used in mobile air conditioning applications would eliminate the possibility of chlorine-related stratospheric ozone depletion from those applications and would introduce no more, and probably less, hydrogen fluoride (HF) into the stratosphere than the continued use of F-12. Such a substitution would only be possible if a commercial process is developed which can produce F-134a in suitable quantities.