A comprehensive review of contemporary strategies and approaches for the treatment of HFC‐134a

Abstract This review addresses the treatment methods for 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (HFC‐134a) and its significant sources of global emission. HFC‐134a is considered to be one of the most common hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with high global warming potential (GWP). The primary emission sources of HFC‐134a are its use as a refrigerant, and in the industrial sector, during the manufacturing of foam. International regulations have addressed the concerns related to HFC‐134a treatment technologies, and more stringent guidelines have been introduced. Diverse strategies and treatment technologies are employed for the reduction in emission of HFC‐134a, that is, recovery methods, incineration, plasma treatment, and catalytic decomposition (pyrolysis and hydrolysis) technologies. HFC‐134a decomposition is an important step when coping with climate change. All the methods have shown promising results for HFC‐134a abatement. It would be interesting to utilize these technologies for the production of useful materials.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.