The Combustion of Highly Fluorinated Organic Compounds

The special problems associated with the destruction of highly fluorinated one and two carbon organics under combustion conditions are discussed in terms of their fundamental chemical kinetic properties. Comparisons are made with the reactions of hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is shown that the fluorinated compounds are in general more thermally stable. Nevertheless, the conditions that are achievable in an incinerator are capable of effecting destruction to high levels. Special characteristics of the decomposition of highly fluorinated compounds are identified with the high strength of the C-F and H-F bonds and the weak HO-F and O-F bonds. We present results on the computer simulations of combustion of methane and ethane in the presence of fluorinated compounds and suggest that this may be a means of making some qualitative predictions regarding incinerability of such compounds. The problem of the formation of fluorinated combustion by products is also discussed.