Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a process in which chlorine and difluoromethane are present in a distillation column, for example, a fluorination reaction. By controlling the chlorine feed such that the concentration of chlorine relative to difluoromethane in the distillation column is maintained below about 22 weight percent (the flammability threshold for chlorine in a mixture of difluoromethane and chlorine), formation of a flammable difluoromethane/chlorine mixture may be minimized or avoided. The invention is particularly useful in a process for the preparation of difluoromethane wherein at least one distillation column separates difluoromethane from unreacted starting materials such as methylene chloride, hydrogen fluoride and monochloromonofluoromethane.

Abstract: An improved thermal energy storage system and a process for thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The cooling medium, a clathrate forming mixture, comprises water, and a hydrofluorocarbon having at least three carbon atoms and a molecular diameter less than about 7 .ANG.. Preferably the hydrofluorocarbon is selected from hydrofluoropropanes and more preferably is selected from the group consisting of CHF.sub.2 CHFCHF.sub.2, CF.sub.2 HCF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CHFCH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CHFCF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CH.sub.2 FCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, and CF.sub.3 CFHCFHCF.sub.3.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel azeotrope-like mixtures of fluorinated compounds which are useful for heating and cooling as heat transfer agents and/or refrigerants. The azeotrope-like mixture comprises: (a) pentafluoropropane; and (b) a hydrofluorocarbon of the formula: C.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.z, wherein x is 3, 4, 5, or 6 and y and z are each independently 1 or a positive whole number such that the result of y/(y+z) is greater than 0.67.

Abstract: An improved thermal energy storage system and a process for thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The cooling medium, a clathrate forming mixture, comprises water, and a hydrofluorocarbon having at least three carbon atoms and a molecular diameter less than about 7 .ANG.. Preferably the hydrofluorocarbon is selected from hydrofluoropropanes and more preferably is selected from the group consisting of CHF.sub.2 CHFCHF.sub.2, CF.sub.2 HCF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CHFCH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CHFCF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CH.sub.2 FCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, and CF.sub.3 CFHCFHCF.sub.3.

Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions comprising trifluoromethane and carbon dioxide or trifluromethane, hexafluoroethane and carbon dioxide are stable and have utility as refrigerants for heating and cooling as well as fire extinguishing compositions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising difluoromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and a member selected from the group consisting of 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, propane and dimethyl ether having a vapor pressure from about 12.2 psia to about 18.4 psia at -40.degree. F., are useful as refrigerants.