A freely localized microwave discharge for removal of chlorofluorocarbon contamination from the atmosphere

Intense microwave beams are proposed to be used for cleaning atmospheric chlorofluorocarbon contamination which is destroying the ozone layer of the Earth. It is shown that it may be possible to excite microwave discharges freely localized in the troposphere. The relation between the quantity of the destroyed chlorofluorocarbons and discharge parameters is established, the energy required for destruction is evaluated and possible unfavourable consequences of the accompanying effects (such as nitrogen oxides production) are analysed. The mechanism of dissociative electron attachment which is manifested in a cold decaying plasma of a pulsed microwave discharge is considered to be a principle mechanism causing dissociation of chlorofluorocarbons (CF2Cl2, CFCl3, etc.). The results are presented of a model laboratory experiment in which, under conditions close to those of free space, a study is made of the efficiency of chlorofluorocarbon dissociation under the action of the discharge produced in air by intense microwave radiation. The experimental results do not contradict the conclusions of the analysis of elementary processes causing the destruction of the chlorofluorocarbon component.