Julian Klauza

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How to properly handle antifreeze fluids?

The appropriate selection and quality of antifreeze fluid has a direct impact on the performance of the installation, energy consumption, and potential production downtime. The selection of the appropriate type of antifreeze fluid, maintaining the mixing ratio (in the case of concentrate), and ensuring the proper level of fluid is crucial for the proper operation of refrigeration systems.

First, let’s answer the question, what are antifreeze fluids?

Most of these preparations are a mixture of high-purity water (e.g., demineralized water) and glycol (either monopropylene glycol or monoethylene glycol). Additives such as corrosion inhibitors are also added to the mixture to protect the installation from corrosion.

Don’t do this if you want to sleep peacefully!

1. Do not flood the installation with coolant for car radiators.

Coolant fluids for car radiators are not intended for use in complex refrigeration systems, and they are not suitable for use in low-temperature systems. Additionally, most car radiator fluids are not glycol-based. It should also be remembered that such products contain silicate corrosion inhibitors, which can cause serious problems with refrigeration unit systems, including:

Decreased system performance

Silicates cover all metal surfaces in the cooling system, including the heat exchanger surfaces themselves. The deposition of such a coating can reduce the system’s performance by as much as 10%! Interestingly, the thickness of such a deposit can increase each time the system is emptied and refilled.

Gel-like consistency

At certain concentrations and temperatures, silicates can form polymers that cause the fluid to transform into a thick, gel-like substance. A substance with such density will most likely make it impossible to pump the fluid further into the system.

Leaky installation

The abrasive nature of silicates can attack pump seals and cause leaks. We have written about what leaky installations can lead to in one of our previous articles.

The need for frequent fluid replacement

Coolant fluids for car radiators have a shorter lifespan than those intended for refrigeration installations. Therefore, they require more frequent replacement/refilling than antifreeze fluids for installations. Leaving aside all the previous arguments as to why this type of fluid cannot be used for heat pumps, central heating, solar collectors, and others, in the longer term, the cost of regularly emptying and replenishing the system with such fluid will be significantly higher.

2. Do not flood the installation with raw glycol.

Raw glycol can be even more corrosive and potentially more harmful to the installation than regular tap water. Only after adding additives and diluting the fluid appropriately will it be fully functional. Additives neutralize the natural tendency to corrosion, scaling, and clogging of pipeline installations and associated elements. It is worth remembering this because we have already witnessed situations where the use of raw glycol completely destroyed the installations.

To prevent corrosion in the installation, scaling, and biological deposits, all Procold brand heat transfer fluids contain corrosion inhibitors and high-quality additives.

What to do to sleep peacefully?

1. Consider what type of fluid is right for you

 

Ethylene glycol-based fluids should be used in industrial installations where there is no risk of the fluid reaching the soil or food. It offers the best parameters of all available glycols. The main disadvantage of ethylene glycol is its toxicity to humans and animals, as mentioned earlier.

Procold’s FACTORY fluid is a non-freezing fluid based on high-quality ethylene glycol with additives. It is ideal for industrial installations.

 

 

Propylene glycol-based fluids are slightly less efficient than those based on ethylene glycol. It is also stickier, which poses a greater challenge for pumps. However, it is an ecological solution and is completely safe for humans, animals, and soil.

Procold’s FACTORY EKO fluid is a non-freezing fluid based on high-quality propylene glycol with additives. It is ideal for heat pump installations, solar collectors, and central heating.

Economic solution

FACTORY GLY. By using different types of additives, we have been able to develop an economical and ecological alternative to non-freezing glycol-based fluids without compromising on quality.

2. Remember the environmental protection regulations

Another important aspect is to check local regulations regarding environmental protection. In some areas, there are special regulations regarding the disposal of individual types of non-freezing fluids. This is a crucial element to avoid unpleasant legal consequences.

3. Maintain the correct level of glycol in the installation

As important as choosing the right type of fluid is its proper level in the installation. Too much glycol or too high density will result in system inefficiency due to reduced heat exchange capacity and pumping efficiency. Insufficient glycol or too low density can lead to the aforementioned freezing of the fluid.

4. Don’t forget about active fluid management

If you care about efficient installation work and minimizing operating costs, you must remember to maintain it. Unfortunately, this activity is often neglected.

In such circumstances, various problems may arise, such as corrosion, biological pollution, and other deposits. All of this will have a direct, negative impact on the heat exchange process, pumping efficiency, and labor costs.

It happens that after modernizing the installation, tap water is added to it, which causes dilution of the non-freezing fluid and inhibitors.

Therefore, to avoid problems, Procold recommends periodic laboratory testing, which we discussed in more detail in one of our previous articles – LINK

back 2023-01-03