Removal of chlorofluorocarbons from the Earth’s atmosphere

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This work addresses the possibility of processing the Earth’s atmosphere (5×1015 metric tons) to remove the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). It is the chlorine atoms, from the ultraviolet photolysis of CFCs in the stratosphere, that are held responsible for catalyzing the thinning of the Earth’s protective ozone layer. In addition, it is estimated that the contribution of CFCs to the ‘‘greenhouse effect’’ and global warming is already 40% that of carbon dioxide and the figure is estimated to rise to 60% in the next four decades. This study surveys the use of powerful lasers to break up CFCs, while still in the troposphere, by infrared multiphoton dissociation. The reaction products would be expected to dissolve in rain droplets. One major limitation to this highly speculative scheme is posed by stimulated rotational Raman scattering of the laser beams. As presently perceived, the cost of installation and operation of the elaborate laser facilities would be certainly prohibitive unless a factor of 5 or 10 improvement in overall efficiency can be found.