Press Release
Development of Halon Decomposition Treatment Technology - Realizes high level of decomposition performance using Chubu Electric's original solid alkali reaction method -
June 17, 2010
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
As part of its efforts to resolve global environmental issues, Chubu Electric (President: Toshio Mita; Location: 1, Higashi-shincho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture) has developed a halon decomposition treatment technology that realizes a high level of decomposition performance in collaboration with Chukyo Fron Co., Ltd. (President: Koji Futora; Location: 1-605 Yoshizu, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture). Today marks the commencement of Chukyo Fron's halon decomposition treatment business.
Halons* possess a high degree of ability to inhibit combustion, and are therefore employed as fire-extinguishing agents in areas where water cannot be employed, such as computer rooms, electrical rooms, etc. However, because halons contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer, their manufacture has been prohibited since 1994 under the Law Concerning the Protection of the Ozone Layer through the Control of Specified Substances and Other Measures. Existing stocks of halons and collected and recycled halons are managed by the specified non-profit corporation Syoubou Kankyo Network, but it is predicted that the amount of excess halons that are not reused will increase in future as they are replaced by alternative fire-extinguishing agents.
Chubu Electric has therefore developed a halon decomposition treatment technology utilizing its solid alkali reaction method. This is an original method of decomposition treatment in which halons are decomposed in a direct reaction with an electrically heated solid alkali reactant (lime, etc.), enabling the production of toxic by-product gases associated with halons, such as bromine, to be controlled.
Field proving trials of the halon decomposer conducted by Chubu Electric and Chukyo Fron have shown that it achieves a high level of decomposition performance, satisfying the standard values specified by the Guidelines on the Destruction of Halon in Japan. Because the method employed by the system does not involve combustion, it is ideally suited to the decomposition of halons, which function to inhibit combustion, and Chubu Electric believes that it will be capable of appropriately treating the excess halons that are expected to increase in future.
*Collective term for halogenated carbons, including bromine and fluorine. The main halons are the gaseous halon 1301 (CBrF3) and the liquid halon 2402 (C2Br2F4). Halons possess a high degree of ability to inhibit combustion and are not harmful to humans, and are therefore used as fire-extinguishing agents in areas where water cannot be used.
[Enquiries concerning halon decomposition business]
Chukyo Fron Co., Ltd.(Koji Futora Tel:+81-52-433-0088)