Freezing liquid as a coolant. Features of use.

There were two-circuit boilers, solar and heat pumps, as materials for plastic pipes, valves and connections began to be used. Installation of the system has become easier, more convenient and more within the reach of "amateurs", it is easier to configure and repair. A common solution is to use "warm floors" based on the circulation pipes.

All these developments have led to the development of yet another technical solution: the use of non-freezing fluids - heat transfer in individual private home heating systems.

The use of coolants raises many questions, speculation and controversy. Some stereotypes have formed a practical application, which sometimes looks comical. Therefore, in this article, experts company OBNINSKORGSINTEZ, The department "Heat transfer" will answer the most common questions.

Or not to apply a non-freezing liquid as a coolant?

There is not a guest or standard, which provides for the mandatory application of the coolant, or prohibit its use. Sometimes there are projects of industrial systems, which include the need for a "water-glycol solutions," and if we look at manufacturers of heating equipment, they also do not have a single, common solutions - some even prohibit, others allow the use of certain brands coolants. What decision correct?

The answer to this question can be obtained by taking into account a combination of many factors: this model equipment, and the type of structure, its mode of use, the material and wall insulation, type of system, the region location. But the most important factor is the degree of security of the system in an emergency, an emergency.

eddiki (Member FORUMHOUSE):

I myself did the heating system for the first time in my life to plastic, no leaks in the fittings. The argument in favor of the antifreeze led specialist who launched me to the boiler - the antifreeze has its disadvantages, but the main thing - to keep the system under any force majeure. According to him, last winter on the water for a variety of reasons, many died CO. I propylene glycol, -20, the system works, and I quietly sleeping, when I'm not in the country.

It's no secret that the main task of the coolant - to protect the system from freezing and damage in the event of unforeseen circumstances. And such situations, when the house may be left without heating for a long time, quite a lot:

•  leaving long the whole family when the house is heated there is no one;
•  seasonal use garden or at home;
•  Finally, no one is safe from accidents on the pipeline or on a long power outage that was often encountered in winter after freezing rain, which was terminated by the power lines.

In such circumstances, the use of antifreeze solution is completely justified.

Which to choose, how do they differ?

Serg3515(Member FORUMHOUSE):

On this subject, it is written, rewritten a lot, but did not see a clear answer (and preferably from the user experience). Therefore, if you will allow questions. So, after all that flood? (Some antifreeze liquid). Electro-pot two-pipe system, metal and plastic pipes.

Uninitiated person to understand the abundance of offers and the price range is very difficult.

A key factor in the choice of coolant is its foundation, ie basic chemical raw materials. As a basis traditionally used:

• ethylene glycol - a toxic diatomic alcohol;
• propylene - non-toxic material allowed for use in food industry.

The second criterion of choice - it is an additive used in the coolant. Distinguish organic additives (carboxylate) and inorganic. The additives affect the life and quality of operation of the coolant. Heat transfer fluid with organic additives has a longer life and more reliable during operation protects the system against corrosion.

The third figure - is the way to this product are manufacturers of heating equipment, easier saying, for example whether a particular coolant for use in a system where this type of equipment is used.

Rating coolants plurality of quality characteristics:

• The heat medium on the basis of propylene glycol with organic additives and tolerances from equipment manufacturers. Such coolant provides the widest range of indicators: it is environmentally friendly and safety, and life, and physico-chemical characteristics and versatility, from kindergarten to food production.
• Heat transfer medium based on ethylene glycol with organic additives and tolerances of the equipment manufacturers. Such a heat carrier already has limitations in application. You can define its purpose: industrial facilities and systems are properly insulated from human activity.
• The heat medium on the basis of propyleneglycol with conventional inorganic additives. In such a product, though a shorter life, but it is quite harmless to the proximity to humans and animals.
• Coolant Ethylene Glycol with inorganic additives. Poison, a small lifetime. Its use is often contribute to savings. If the system is well insulated from contact with human activity - it is quite logical and such a decision.

P.S. Heat transfer fluid based on glycerol. Glycerol - simplest triatomic alcohol, which is a viscous transparent liquid is also used as a food additive. The product has a high density, kinematic and dynamic viscosity. Hardware manufacturers provide performance several times lower than those that are present in the coolant based on glycerin. Operational and physical benefits of the product does not, although it is easy enough to make, because he is cheap. European producers of chemical compounds is very negative attitude to the use as a basis for freezing liquid glycerin.

How do I find the required number of?

A common, but a simple question. After installation of the system is necessary to carry out commissioning. The regulations provide for the necessary control check - crimping system with water. After the molding obtained from the water system will indicate the exact amount of coolant required for the system.

Dilute with water or not?

The origin of this problem is due to the fact that equipment manufacturers set some requirements to worry about the most safe and efficient operation. Buyers follow his line due to the need to save money. A coolant manufacturers tack between the demands of manufacturers, buyers and sales practices. As always - the truth somewhere in the middle.

Manufacturers freezing liquids, mainly offer the market coolants "-65S" or "-30". Firstly, this is due to create demand, and secondly, such a coolant is guaranteed not to be in a frozen state at the time of sale.

At the manufacturers' own truth. " Thus, the density of antifreeze with "25C" label, mostly recommended by the manufacturer Equipment of optimum yield considerations is 1.03 g / cm3, and the "-30" fluid - 1.04 g / cm3.

The fact that the content of the basic substance in the composition of the coolant will be a few percent more - it is not "the beyond" a deviation, but given the fact that coolant may "be added water 'or recharge circuit, or if the system is not fully drained after washing with water," stock "concentration just needs.

On the other hand, breeding coolant "-30" to "25C" - and this value is 3-4% - no It will bring tangible savings for the buyer, but will increase the risk of loss of other necessary properties. But in the case where the buyer plans to use "-65S" concentrated coolant and dilute it already - is already saving can be up to 20%.

As coolants interact with aluminum, steel radiators, taps and polypropylene pipes?

If we are not dealing with the "garage production", and the manufacturer complies with the requirements and test procedures according to GOST 28084 - nothing to worry about, because for neutralization of aggressive factors freezing liquids they contain additives. When organic (carboxylate) applied in the coolant additive - is an additional advantage. The main thing - is the level of confidence in the manufacturer, because the consumer in a domestic environment independently verify the figures can not, and in the laboratory - these tests are sufficient costly.

What is the life span, how do you know when to replace?

The question is quite common.

Andreic(Member FORUMHOUSE):

Experts, clarify the situation today Contractors said that antifreeze has a validity of 5-7 years. Then it loses its properties, begins to fall like sediment and does not go on the heating system as it should be. True or False?

In heat transfer, which include organic (carboxylate) additives lifespan is 10 seasons (10 years), for the heat transfer from the "normal", silicate additives, this period is about 5 years old (heating season). For the purposes of quality control every year, after the end of the heating season, it is possible to carry out a simple procedure - pour a small amount of coolant in a glass transparent container. The obtained sample was visually inspected for mechanical and other impurities, color, and transparency. If mechanical impurities (chips, nuggets scale) are present in the coolant - it can merge, filter, flush the system and fill again. If there are traces of chemical changes (flakes, clots) - it is necessary to address to experts.

In some systems, you can use antifreeze liquid?

There are a number of restrictions on the use of anti-freeze:

• Freezing liquids, regardless of chemical composition, can only be used in closed loop. This means that in the system of constant pressure is present, the circulation is carried out continuously, force, due to the pump.
• Coolants do not apply to electric boilers electrolysis type. Electrolysis type - is when the coolant is used as an electrical conductor. Electrical conductivity at the coolant is low, and this will lead to greater electricity consumption.
• Nonfreezing liquid unacceptably use in contact with the galvanized surfaces (pipes).

How to determine the necessary temperature or 30C - a lot or a little?

The practice application shows that the temperature in a room that had not been heated for a long time, and ambient temperature - always different. The room will always be warmer - 10 degrees or more. Even if the "outside" minus 40 and room chilled to minus 30, the coolant does not turn into ice, and, accordingly, does not tear the pipes and radiators. To make antifreeze-30C labeled frozen and damaged the heating system, the temperature (in the house) must be lower than -50 ° C, in reality quite difficult to imagine.

Rash98 (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Three-season use propylene glycol as antifreeze in the system with natural circulation. Everything works perfectly. The batteries heat up after 10 minutes. Propylene glycol do not use concentrated and diluted to the freezing point of minus 30 degrees. FROM. Filled day three years ago.

On the other hand, non-freezing liquid with a temperature of minus 10, 15 or even 20 ° C, should not apply to a number of reasons:

• Even in the central regions of Russia winter the temperature drops below the specified values. In such circumstances, hardly anyone wants to buy a product that is turned into a "slush", despite the fact that after thawing - it completely return their properties.
• At the least dilution (which is very likely, especially in combi boilers, or after flushing the system), a small margin without coolant temperature lose its desired properties.

When the system was water - it was all good, filled coolant - flowed all connections.

Arnau(Member FORUMHOUSE):

It's time to decide what to fill the heating system in a country house: distilled water or antifreeze.

Against antifreeze main argument that it corrodes the connection may leak and need to be changed frequently nodes.

Really, freezing liquids more fluid than water. And the fluidity increases with increasing temperature. They do not have chemical compounds that form calcium deposits can clog the minute gaps. Even if the minute gaps somewhat clogged, coolant additive "clean up" clog formation and restore flow. Therefore, the assembly of the joints in the system, where it is planned to use antifreeze - it is necessary to pay more attention. And, as mentioned earlier, before running it is imperative to carry out start-up operations, including pressure testing of the system.

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