1,1,1,2,3,3,3-Heptafluoropropane, also called heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea ( ISO name), HFC-227 or FM-200, as well as apaflurane ( INN), is a colourless, odourless gaseous

halocarbon Halocarbon compounds are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked by covalent bonds with one or more halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine – ) resulting in the formation of organofluorine compounds, organochlor ...

commonly used as a gaseous fire suppression agent.

Chemistry

Its chemical formula is CF-CHF-CF, or CHF. With a boiling point of −16.4 °C, it is a gas at room temperature. It is slightly soluble in water (260 mg/L).

Use

HFC-227ea is used in fire suppression systems that protect data processing and telecommunication facilities, and in fire suppression of many flammable liquids and gases. HFC-227ea is categorized as a Clean Agent and is governed by ''NFPA 2001 - Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems''. Effective fire suppression requires introducing a concentration of the HFC-227ea agent between 6.25% and 9% depending on the hazard being suppressed. Its NOAEL for cardiac sensitization is 9%. The

United States Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it ...

allows concentration of 9% volume in occupied spaces without mandated egress time, or up to 10.5% for a limited time. Most fire suppression systems are designed to provide concentration of 6.25-9%. The HFC-227ea fire suppression agent was the first non-ozone-depleting replacement for

Halon 1301 Bromotrifluoromethane, commonly known as Halon 1301, R13B1, Halon 13B1 or BTM, is an organic halide with the chemical formula C Br F3. It is used for gaseous fire suppression as a far less toxic alternative to bromochloromethane. Table of phys ...

. In addition, HFC-227ea leaves no residue on valuable equipment after discharge. HFC-227ea contains no chlorine or bromine atoms, presenting no

ozone depletion Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s: a steady lowering of about four percent in the total amount of ozone in Earth's atmosphere, and a much larger springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone (the ozone lay ...

effect. Its atmospheric lifetime is approximated between 31 and 42 years. It leaves no residue or oily deposits and can be removed by ventilation of the affected space. As an

aerosol An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be natural or anthropogenic. Examples of natural aerosols are fog or mist, dust, forest exudates, and geyser steam. Examples of anthropogen ...

propellant A propellant (or propellent) is a mass that is expelled or expanded in such a way as to create a thrust or other motive force in accordance with Newton's third law of motion, and "propel" a vehicle, projectile, or fluid payload. In vehicles, the ...

, HFC-227ea is used in pharmaceutical metered dose inhalers such as those used for dispensing

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, co ...

medication.

Safety

At high temperatures, heptafluoropropane will decompose and produce

hydrogen fluoride Hydrogen fluoride (fluorane) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . This colorless gas or liquid is the principal industrial source of fluorine, often as an aqueous solution called hydrofluoric acid. It is an important feedstock ...

. The decomposition produces a sharp, pungent odour, which can be perceived in concentrations far below a dangerous level. Other decomposition products include

carbonyl fluoride Carbonyl fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula COF2. It is a carbon oxohalide. This gas, like its analog phosgene, is colourless and highly toxic. The molecule is planar with ''C''2v symmetry, bond lengths of 1.174 Å (C=O) and 1.312 ...

carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide ( chemical formula CO) is a colorless, poisonous, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simpl ...

and

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide ( chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is t ...

. Prior to re-entry of a room where HFC-227ea system has been activated to suppress a fire, the atmosphere should be tested. An Acid Scavenging Additive added to heptafluoropropane reduces the amount of hydrogen fluoride. Contact with liquid HFC-227ea may cause

frostbite Frostbite is a skin injury that occurs when exposed to extreme low temperatures, causing the freezing of the skin or other tissues, commonly affecting the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin areas. Most often, frostbite occurs in t ...

Climate change considerations

Heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea) contributes to

climate change In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to ...

. It has a

global warming potential Global warming potential (GWP) is the heat absorbed by any greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, as a multiple of the heat that would be absorbed by the same mass of carbon dioxide (). GWP is 1 for . For other gases it depends on the gas and the time ...

(GWP) of 3,220 over 100 years. Due to its high GWP, the HFC-227ea has been included in the list of controlled substances of the

Montreal Protocol The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 September 1987, and entered into force ...

(2016 Kigali amendment, in effect in January 2019). Under EU regulations, production, imports and sales of HFC-227ea in spray cans such as freeze sprays or dusters have been prohibited since 2014, as the GWP is over the limit of 150 for these applications.

Tradenames for HFC-227ea used as fire suppression agent

* FE-227 FM-200 (Dupont) (

(EPA) SNAP Listed) * FITECH - 227 (Fitech Engineers) * Solkaflam 227 (Solvay Fluor) * MH-227 (Shanghai Waysmos) (

(EPA) SNAP Listed) * Orient 227 (Orient Corporation) (

(EPA) SNAP Listed) * SR-200 (SRI) * NAF S 227(Safety High Tech)

References

Sinerji Fire Protection Product Page
2009-04-25)

External links

MSDS for heptafluoropropaneMSDS for heptafluoropropane

MSDS for heptafluoropropaneSDS for (LUKE 227) heptafluoropropaneSDS for Chemori 227
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heptafluoropropane, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3- Fluoroalkanes Fire suppression agents Aerosol propellants Refrigerants