Experimental and theorical study on the pyrolysis behaviors of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluroropropene

The pyrolysis behaviors of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluroropropene (R1234yf) had been first studied in a flow reactor pyrolysis apparatus coupled with the synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. The pyrolysis temperature, reaction products and intermediates were measured at atmospheric pressure. The experimental results revealed that the initial pyrolysis temperature of R1234yf was 1040K and the thermal decomposition was accelerated with the increase of temperature. It was found that the pyrolysis reaction of R1234yf will be replaced by a self-polymerization reaction at 1160 K. In order to explore the chemical process of R1234yf pyrolysis, a detailed kinetic simulation was performed and compared with experimental results. The calculated results indicated that the unimolecular decomposition paths took a dominant role in the whole pyrolysis processes. The intermediates of C₂H₂, C₂HF, CF₂, CHF₃, CF₄ and CF₃CF₃ were detected in the pyrolysis experiments. Moreover, the distribution characteristics and sensitivity analysis of the vital fluorinated species of CF₂, C₂H₂, CF₄, CF₃CF₃ and HF were discussed. All of these founding could provide reliable data for the development of pyrolysis models and guidance for the use of R1234yf in the refrigeration system.