Different Types Of Heat Transfer Fluids

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There are different types of heat transfer fluids. In this article we are going to go over the different types and what each type is used for. First we are going to discuss what heat transfer fluid is. It is a fluid that carries the heat through solar collectors.

The first heat transfer fluid that we are going to discuss is air. Air is good because it can't freeze or boil and you do not have to worry about it corroding anything. The down fall to using air as a heat transfer fluid is that it has very low heat capacity, and has a tendency to leak out of the collectors and ducts. The next one you could use is water. Water is good for many reasons because it is cheap and it isn't toxic. The down fall to using water is that has a low boiling point and it freezes. It also causes corrosion if the pH is not maintained.

Then there are glycol/water mixtures. What that is fifty percent glycol or fifty percent glycol. It can also be mixed at a ratio of 60/40 sixty percent glycol and forty percent water. If you choose this option that it is recommended to use a closed loop unit. The reason for that is because the glycol is toxic. This type of mixture would need to be maintained frequently so that it can perform at its best ability. You should usually have it checked once a year. There are glycols that are non-toxic and that is the kind that is used in food processing equipment.

The next common fluid is hydrocarbon oils. This kind has a higher viscosity and lower specific heat than water. The oil is pretty inexpensive and it also has a low freezing point which is very beneficial. The only thing about this type is that it requires more energy to pump the fluid. There are different types of hydrocarbon oils. There is hydrocarbon oils are synthetic hydrocarbons, paraffin hydrocarbons, and aromatic refined mineral oils.

Synthetic hydrocarbons are basically nontoxic and they require little maintenance. Paraffin hydrocarbons have a wider temperature range between freezing and boiling points than water, but they are toxic and require a double-walled, closed-loop heat exchanger. Aromatic oils are the least viscous of the hydrocarbon oils.

Depending on your needs depends on what type of fluid you may need. The best way to decide what type you need it is best to speak to a professional.

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