Global Warming Potential

Perfluorotripropyl amine (PTPA) (CAS Number: 338-83-0)

Summary: 

 This document describes analysis conducted by 3M to determine a Global Warming 

Potential (GWP) for Perfluorotripropyl Amine (PTPA). The format of this report is 

consistent with submittals to EPA for the use of Provisional GWP’s. The Mandatory 

Reporting Rule requires facilities to monitor and report CO2-equivalent F-GHG process vent 

emissions, if those emissions exceed a threshold of 10,000 metric tons CO2-equivalent per 

year. [1] Estimated CO2-equivalent emissions are obtained by multiplying the F-GHG mass 

emissions by the Global Warming Potential (GWP) for the individual fluorinated gases that 

comprise the flow. EPA has provided a table of 100-year time horizon GWP values for about 

70 individual F-GHG, and specifies that these values are to be used for the purpose of 

computing CO2-equivalent emissions. [2] Default GWP’s can be used for any fluorinatedGHG not listed in Table A-1. The regulation allows a facility to request a lower provisional 

GWP when clear scientific evidence exists to support such a lower value. 

Table A–1 does not list a GWP for perfluorotripropyl amine. As described in greater detail 

in a subsequent section, the atmospheric lifetime of perfluorotripropyl amine has been 

estimated as 2000 years; the infrared spectrum of perfluorotripropyl amine has been 

accurately measured and the GWP of perfluorotripropyl amine has been estimated as 8690 

relative to CO2 with a 100-year integration time horizon. 

Evidence Supporting Request: 

F-GHG Identity: perfluorotripropyl amine (PTPA) 

Chemical Formula: C9F21N

CAS Number: 338-83-0 

Estimated GWP: 8690 relative to CO2 with a 100-year integration time horizon 

Data and analysis: Tang has measured kinetic rate constants for the vapor phase reaction of 

perfluorotriethyl amine with OH and O3 [3], and have estimated the atmospheric lifetime as

>2000 years. The atmospheric lifetime of perfluorotripropyl amine was estimated as 2000 

years based on the physical/chemical similarity with respect to the mode of atmospheric 

degradation between of perfluorotriethyl amine and perfluorotripropyl amine. Both 

compounds are in the same class of compounds, namely perfluorinated amines and differ 

only in perfluorinated alkyl chain length. 

Infrared spectra were measured for perfluorotripropylamine using methodology 

recommended by Pinnock et al. [4] and referenced by the IPCC [5]. (see Figure 1) Radiative 

forcing calculations were performed using the approximation method developed by Pinnock 

et al. [4]. The radiative forcing was also estimated using a QSAR developed for 

perfluorinated amines. The average of the two values was 0.71 Wm-2ppbv-1 and the 

difference between the two values was < 1%. Using the average radiative forcing in the 
equation referenced by the IPCC [5] to determine the GWP of a given substance, a GWP of 

8690 relative to CO2 with a 100-year integration time horizon was established. 

1. "Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases: Additional Sources of Fluorinated GHGs; 

Final Rule", Federal Register 75:230 (December 1, 2010) p.74774. 

2. "Table A-1 to Subpart A of Part 98—Global Warming Potentials": Table A-1 in 40 CFR 

part 98, subpart A. 

3. Tang, Yi, Atmospheric Fate of Various Fluorocarbons. Master’s Thesis, Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 

4. Pinnock, S., et al., Radiative forcing of climate by hydrochlorofluorocarbons and 

hydrofluorocarbons. Journal of Geophysical Research, 1995. 100(D11): p. 23227-23238. 

5. IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution 

of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment. Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on 

Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. 

Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 976pp 

Figure 1. FTIR Reference Spectra of PTPA. 

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Absorbance / Wavenumber (cm-1) Paged X-Zoom CURSOR

File # 1 : 28PT PA 5/18/2009 3:38 PM Res=None

Perfluorotripropylamine 28.1 ppmM, 25.7 C, 1 atm, 128 scans, inst.T, 5/18/09, avg 28PTPAa, 28PT PAb