Heat transfer fluids for other industrial applications

Gas liquefaction is the process of turning gas into liquid by cooling it below its boiling point, with heat transfer fluids playing a vital role in removing heat from the gas. The process begins by compressing the gas to raise its pressure and temperature, followed by pre-cooling with a heat transfer fluid in a heat exchanger. The gas is then expanded, causing a temperature drop, and further cooled by the fluid until it condenses into a liquid. The heat transfer fluid helps maintain the gas in its liquefied state. 

Liquefied gases are used for various purposes, including the storage and transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the production of industrial gases like oxygen.

Ground freezing stabilises the ground by circulating a heat transfer fluid, typically brine, through a pipe-system to freeze soil and groundwater. This method is widely applied in construction and mining for excavation support and groundwater control.

It operates efficiently in a range of conditions, including difficult environments such as loose sand and gravel. Ground freezing is especially beneficial when other groundwater control methods are impractical or when halting water flow is not easily achievable. It can serve as either a temporary or long-term solution and can be reversed naturally through thawing, leaving no lasting environmental impact. Monitoring the process is simple, using temperature and pressure sensors.

Heat pumps extract heat from natural sources like air, ground, or water, or from man-made sources such as industrial or domestic waste and transfer it to buildings or industrial applications using heat transfer fluids circulating in external circuits. 

Heat pumps can also serve as cooling systems by moving heat from the cooled area to the warmer surroundings. Due to their lower primary energy consumption compared to conventional heating systems, heat pumps help reduce environmentally harmful gas emissions. 

Examples include industrial heating for processes like water heating, cooling, steam production, drying, evaporation, and distillation, as well as ground source heating, where heat pumps transfer heat from the earth to buildings.

Hot water heating systems and air conditioning are essential for maintaining comfortable temperatures in buildings. However, many buildings such as schools, churches and holiday homes, do not require constant heating. Choosing well-designed heat transfer fluids with freeze protection and corrosion inhibitors, instead of uninhibited water, can result in energy savings during shutdowns. This allows systems or parts of them to be safely turned off even when outdoor temperatures fall below freezing, while still being ready for immediate use. 

In moderate climates like Western Europe, freeze protection down to -20 °C is generally sufficient to safeguard installations, even when pipes are installed in external walls.

Ice rinks are a typical example of secondary cooling. In this system, the primary refrigeration unit generates cold temperatures using a refrigerant like Ammonia or Freon but doesn't cool the ice directly. Instead, the cold is transferred through a heat transfer fluid that circulates in a secondary loop of pipes embedded beneath the ice rink surface, ensuring consistent cooling. These pipes, typically made of steel, facilitate the freezing process as deionized water is sprayed onto them, freezing upon contact. This method is efficient, reducing the risk of leaks by centralizing refrigeration and ensuring uniform cooling for high-quality ice.  

Similarly, large football stadiums use a network of pipes filled with heat transfer fluid to prevent snow and ice accumulation, thereby protecting the grass from cold damage.

Indirect cooling systems, also known as secondary refrigeration, involve a physical separation between the primary circuit, where cold is generated, and the secondary system, where cooling occurs. The cold from the primary circuit is transferred by a heat transfer fluid to the location where products need cooling. In these systems, heat transfer fluids serve two key functions: transferring cold, which requires the fluid to remain liquid at all operating temperatures with low viscosity, and protecting the system against corrosion, which, at low temperatures, demands specialized inhibitors and protection mechanisms.

These systems are also used in supermarkets, offering an effective, economical and safe method to display fresh and frozen food without relying on undesirable refrigerants in public spaces.

Indirect contact freezing is a method where products are frozen by transferring cold indirectly through a cooled surface rather than by direct immersion. Products are placed on or against surfaces such as metal plates or belts, which are chilled by a heat transfer fluid circulating within a closed system. The primary refrigeration system cools the heat transfer fluid, which then circulates through a network of pipes or channels connected to the freezing surface. As the fluid flows through these pipes, it absorbs heat from the product via the freezing surface, leading to the product's freezing.  

The heat transfer fluid acts as the medium that delivers cold from the refrigeration unit to the freezing surface, efficiently removing heat from the product for rapid and consistent freezing. Its properties, such as low viscosity and freeze protection, are crucial for maintaining effective and efficient freezing operations.

Using glycol-based heat transfer fluids in double-walled tanks offers several key benefits, particularly in leak detection and overall system efficiency. These fluids prevent corrosion, helping to maintain the integrity of both the inner and outer tank walls. Their superior thermal properties ensure efficient heat transfer and stable temperatures, which are essential for keeping the tank's contents at optimal conditions and avoiding freeze damage in cold environments.

Additionally, glycol-based fluids are electrically conductive and can be dyed with fluorescent colours visible under UV light, making them ideal for leak detection when used with appropriate equipment. A leak alters the fluid's conductivity, allowing for early detection and real-time monitoring. This is especially beneficial in scenarios where visual inspection is difficult, such as with underground tanks, where leaks can lead to soil or groundwater contamination.

Glycol-based heat transfer fluids are essential in many reaction processes due to their distinct properties. Their high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity enable efficient heat absorption and dissipation, ensuring accurate temperature control, which is critical for maintaining process stability. These fluids can function across a broad temperature range, supporting both heating and cooling requirements, making them highly versatile for processes requiring temperature flexibility.

Additionally, the corrosion inhibitors in these fluids protect reaction vessels and piping, enhancing system durability. These features make glycol-based heat transfer fluids an excellent choice for achieving efficient, safe, and cost-effective performance in a variety of reaction processes.

In applications like solar water heating, a solar collector mounted on the roof captures sunlight, heating the heat transfer fluid. This heated fluid then transfers its energy to the water in a storage tank through a heat exchanger. Separate circuits prevent the mixing of the heat transfer fluid with domestic water. Reducing the distance between the collector and the tank helps minimize heat loss.

When selecting a heat transfer fluid for solar heating applications, several factors should be considered, including the coefficient of expansion, viscosity, thermal capacity, freeze point, boiling point, as well as flash point, corrosivity and stability. While the base fluid influences many of these properties, the additives and inhibitors in a formulated heat transfer fluid significantly affect its performance, durability, and lifespan.

Modern wind turbines rely on advanced cooling systems to ensure optimal performance. From generators and gearboxes to power electronics, various components must be kept within an optimal temperature range. In cold climates, the coolant also plays a vital role in preheating circuits during start-up. With long service intervals, robust and long-lasting corrosion protection is essential. Our coolants are specifically developed to meet the demanding requirements of renewable energy applications.