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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Below are some of the most
commonly asked questions about glycol, and our CoolFlow range. We will soon be publishing faq's which relate to
our other products and services (water treatment chemicals, effluent treatment etc.). If you have a question which
isn't answered here please click
here
for the helpline. You
may also find our case studies & articles of some interest, click here to view.
GLYCOL RELATED QUESTIONS..
1.
What is the main difference between Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol?
2.
Can I use automotive glycol / car antifreeze in my chiller?
3.
Which coolant should I use in my system, CoolFlow IG or CoolFlow FG?
4.
You offer colour, ultra violet (UV) and taste tracers for CoolFlow products, why would we need these?
5.
What should I do with my used antifreeze?
6.
What is the difference between freeze protection and burst protection?
1. What is the main difference
between Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol?
Ethylene Glycol : Many of
the current uses for ethylene glycol are due to its properties as a freezing point depressant. However, this compound
is also valuable in numerous applications which depend upon one or more additional properties. Its solvent, lubricant,
plasticizing, and hygroscopic properties, as well as the ease with which it reacts with other chemical intermediates,
is the reason for its popularity as an industrial raw material.
Propylene Glycol : The low
toxicity of propylene glycol, which is unique among the glycols, means that ingestion of the product need not cause
severe illness or death. Because of this, there are different grades intended for different levels of contact with
the human body. In common with the other glycols, propylene glycol is colourless and odorless, and has a wide range
of solvency for organic materials, as well as being completely water soluble.
In Summery : Ethylene Glycol is the more toxic of the two glycols, thus Propylene Glycol should be used in any
application or solution which COULD be ingested by humans.
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2. Can I use automotive
glycol / car antifreeze in my chiller?
NO. Nearly all automotive
antifreeze contains silicate-based inhibitors which gel and foul, coating heat exchanger surfaces and reducing
energy efficiency. These silicates have also been shown to significantly reduce the lifespan of pump seals.
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3. Which coolant should I
use in my system, CoolFlow IG or CoolFlow FG?
If your system is such that the coolant may come into contact with food or drinking water then CoolFlow FG (Propylene
based food grade coolant) should be used. Otherwise, CoolFlow IG (Ethylene based industrial grade coolant) can
be used. See question 1. for further details about the difference between propylene and ethylene glycol.
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4. You offer colour, ultra
violet (UV) and taste tracers for CoolFlow products, why would we need these?
These tracers are offered to make leak detection easier. If your system is used for a food or drink application
then the colour and taste additives would certainly be recommended for two reasons;
1. The taste tracer, which contains bitrex (the bitterest substance known to man), will make any edible product
contaminated by the coolant so vile as to cause the consumer to spit it out immediately, avoiding the sickness
and other side effects likely from consuming glycol.
2. The colour tracers (e.g. red, blue, green, yellow) and UV tracer dyes provide a clear visual indicator that
a leak has occured - which is useful in both food and industrial systems.
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5. What should I do with
my used antifreeze?
Used antifreeze is considered hazardous waste, and if the Environment Agency trace improper disposal of the product
back to yourself you will be liable for very heavy fines and possible prosecution. It is VERY IMPORTANT you do
not just pour the used antifreeze down drains or sewers, as it can cause illness and death to organisms which consume
it (including marine life, pets and humans). If you require help or advice regarding antifreeze disposal please
contact
us.
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6. What is the difference
between freeze protection and burst protection?
Freeze protection is imperitive
when a system requires pumping. It is achieved when the glycol concentration in a system is sufficient to prevent
ice crystals from forming when the fluid experiences its' lowest temperature.
Burst protection is achieved
when the concentration of glycol in a system is high enough to prevent the fluid from freezing solid, thus causing
bursting and other mechanical damage. The glycol concentration will be lower than that of a freeze protected system,
and the fluid will not necessarily remain pumpable as the glycol concentration will be low enough to allow the
fluid to form ice crystals (becoming a slush). When ice crystals begin to form the solution will begin to expand,
but it will remain fluid enough to allow excess volumes to flow into expansion tanks without causing damage to
the system.
In Summery : Freeze protection
completely avoids freezing of fluid in a system, burst protection avoids a fluid from freezing so much so as to
cause bursting / mechanical damage to a system.
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