1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) is a hydrofluorocarbon is a colorless gas used primarily for closed-cell spray foam insulation. HFC-245fa is also known as pentafluoropropane and by its chemical name 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.
Environmental Effects
Unlike CFC and HCFCblowing agents formerly used for this purpose, it has no ozone depletion potential and is nearly non-toxic. Although it is intended to remain trapped within the foam insulation, it is practically non-biodegradable with a lifetime of 7.2 years when it eventually does escape into the atmosphere.[4] It does have a high global warming potential of 950 (950 times the global warming effect of CO2).[5][6] Honeywell refers to this as "acceptable" in their literature, but they don't include the actual number.
Economics
One of the disadvantages of R-245fa is its cost. In 2000, R-141b cost one US dollar per pound, whereas R-245fa cost $2.50 to $4.00 per pound.[7] As of 2007, and prior to Sinochem's production it was already a high volume production chemical, with over 1 million pounds produced annually.[4]
Manufacturing History
Pentafluoropropane is produced by Honeywell and in Asia by Sinochem.[8] Honeywell markets HFC-245fa under the Enovate and Genetron 245fa brand names. AlliedSignal, who adopted the Honeywell name after acquiring it, decided in 1999 to provide a non ozone depleting blowing agent as an alternative for dichlorofluoroethane (HCFC-141b) and trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11). Competitors Atofina and General Electric pursued strategies using other agents.
