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Abstract

The invention provides a method and installation for the production of a desired fluorocarbon compound, which includes the steps of providing a high temperature zone; and feeding at least one input material into the high temperature zone to generate a body of hot gas including fluorine-containing species and carbon-containing species. The molar C:F ratio in the body of hot gas is controlled at a selected value between about 0.4 and 2; and the specific enthalpy of the body of hot gas is controlled between about 1 kWh/kg and about 10 kWh/kg for a time interval, so that a reactive thermal gaseous mixture forms, containing reactive species including reactive fluorine-containing precursors and reactive carbon-containing precursors. Thereafter the reactive thermal mixture is cooled at a cooling rate and to a cooling temperature selected to produce an end product including the desired fluorocarbon compound. The input material is typically a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 perfluorinated carbon compound of the general formula C.sub.n F.sub.m in which 01, for example a gaseous fluorocarbon such as tetrafluoromethane (CF.sub.4).

First Claim