"R-143a" redirects here. For the road, see Route 143.

1,1,1-Trifluoroethane, or R-143a or simply trifluoroethane, is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compound that is a colorless gas. It should not be confused with the much more commonly used HFC gas R-134a, nor confused with the isomeric compound 1,1,2-trifluoroethane. 1,1,1-Trifluoroethane has a critical temperature of 73 °C.[1]

Applications

Trifluoroethane is used as a refrigerant either by itself or more commonly as a component of blended mixtures. It is also used as a propellant in canned air products used to clean electronic equipment.

Environmental effects

Growth of R-143a concentration in Earth's atmosphere since 2007.[2]
HFC-143a measured by the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) at stations around the world. Abundances are given as pollution free monthly mean mole fractions in parts-per-trillion.


Unlike CFCs used as refrigerants, trifluoroethane has no chlorine atoms and therefore is not ozone-depleting. Its high chemical stability and infra-red absorbency make it a potent greenhouse gas with a lifetime of about 50 years and a global warming potential of 4300, which are at the high end compared to many other commonly used HFC refrigerants.[3][4] Its abundance in the atmosphere more than doubled from about 10 parts per trillion (ppt) in 2010 to near 25 ppt in 2020.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Schoen, J. Andrew, "Listing of Refrigerants" (PDF), Andy's HVAC/R Web Page, archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-19, retrieved 2011-12-17
  2. ^ a b "HFC-143a". NOAA Earth System Research Laboratories/Global Monitoring Division. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  3. ^ "Chapter 8". AR5 Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. p. 731.
  4. ^ "Refrigerants - Environmental Properties". The Engineering ToolBox. Retrieved 2016-09-12.