The Search for Alternative Refrigerants -- A Molecular Approach

The impending prodllction limitations on the fully halogenated CFG refrigerants is causing an intense search for possible substitutes. This study reviews the historical development of the CFG refrigerants and the relationship between molecular structure and t:he ozone depletio11 and greenhouse warming potentials. It then demonstrates that the halogenated hydrocarbons (a class of compounds that: includes the CFCs) remain the most promising candidates for replacements based on both theoretical thermodynamic arguments and an empirical daca base search. The inevitable practical tradeoffs a.rnong the various candidates are seen to vary in a systematic fashion based on mol~cular structure, LA QUETE POUR UNE ALTERNATIVE AUX ACTUELS REFRIGERANTS UNE APPROCHE MOLEGULAIRE