Sustainability
Sustainability in heat transfer fluids
Heat transfer fluids can have a considerable impact on the life span of a system due to problems caused by corrosion
Andrew Murray assesses the environmental performance of fluids and looks at the impact of fluids on the overall longevity of heating and cooling systems
growing expectation on companies to manage the impact that they are having on the environment and to enhance their green credentials. Many compa- nies are seeking to lead the sector by taking positive action and opt- ing for products that will reduce their carbon footprint. The use of a sustainable glycol in the manu- facture of heat transfer fluids is set to have a dramatic impact on the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the industries that require heating and cooling systems. These can include food and drink processing and manufacturing, pharmaceuti- cal manufacturing, industrial cool- ing applications, such as industrial air conditioning systems and pub- lic buildings such as schools and
24 | October 2014 | HVR
hospitals using ground or air source heat pumps. With an ever increasing empha- sis on the environment and the impact industry has upon it, ‘green- er’ alternatives are playing an important role.
For example, Kilfrost’s Cooltranssustain CTS, a bio-derived propylene glycol based concen- trate fluid, is sustainable and recyclable with low toxicity levels. Such products continue to offer the heat transfer fluids market more innovative solutions to meet these ever-increasing environmen- tal demands. The production of corn sugar–derived glycol sees a large reduction in the consumption of non-renewable energy, with its manufacture using up to 40 per cent less than standard glycol.
Increasing system longevity Despite the relatively low initial cost to the customer, a heat trans- fer fluid can become the most expensive aspect of a cooling or heating system, if it has been sourced or used incorrectly. Whilst it is important to abide by an effi- cient and rigorous maintenance regime, the life span of a system also depends on the quality of the heat transfer fluid used. When gly- col is diluted with water to achieve the required protection against frost, the problem for the installer and ultimately the end user is the potential for system corrosion. Bacterial growth and scaling within the system can also become an issue as a result of hard and/or inferior water. Heat transfer fluids can have a considerable impact on the life span of a system due to problems caused by corrosion, therefore it is vital to select a heat transfer fluid that has advanced glycol inhibitors. Inhibited glycol-based heat transfer fluids mixed with water of a sufficient quality protect against corrosion, scale and other harmful fouling within a system. This reduces energy waste, lowers maintenance and system repairs and in turn extends the longevity and reliability of equipment. By having a clean and efficient sys- tem, this will extend the life of the capital equipment and investment made by the customer and ulti- mately save money, hassle and potential loss of reputation through expensive down-times.
Ensuring the quality of fluids In processing industries, many systems are running for up to 24 hours a day. The cost of unplanned downtime, outages and system failures are a major threat which can result in loss of revenue. This can in some cases lead to significant reputational damage. Downtime and failures can also have negative effects on customers in the domestic market, as well as in industries such as
retail, hospitality and healthcare, where reliable cooling and heating systems are essential to keep buildings at a comfortable temper- ature for their occupants. An international standard, known as the ASTM D 1384 corro- sion test standard, is playing an increasingly important role in the industry as it continues to recog- nise the importance of corrosion prevention. This involves immers- ing metals commonly used in heat transfer systems, such as alumini- um, iron, steel, brass, solder and copper in an inhibited glycol/water mixture and analysing them in laboratory con- ditions for signs of corrosion. This is carried out over a period of four weeks and crucially gives the customer greater confidence and peace of mind by demonstrat- ing how the fluid protects suffi- ciently against corrosion. Any fluid can claim to contain corrosion inhibitors but without the pres- ence of a test standard, the extent of protection is difficult to gauge accurately.
The ASTM test standard has not been embraced by everyone in the industry and is still widely misun- derstood. Some heat transfer fluid manufacturers have chosen to welcome the standard and adhere to it across their range of products; however the test currently remains voluntary.
Summary
Sustainability within heating or cooling systems is becoming increasingly important for both manufacturers and end users. The full life cycle of the product must be considered, including how it is manufactured and its life span. The demand for heat transfer flu- ids based on corn-derived inhibit- ed glycol is an example of compa- nies seeking to further their green credentials. As demand grows, more innovative approaches will surely follow. // The author is the senior manager at Kilfrost’s Speciality Fluids Division //
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