Changes in glycol concentration and glycol degradation directly impact the performance and longevity of EG (ethylene glycol) and PG (propylene glycol) based thermal fluids. An unmanaged glycol thermal fluid can result in the loss of system efficiency and even catastrophic system failures. Avoid paying for costly repairs tomorrow by using the free sample test kits from Dow today to help manage your glycol thermal fluid system.
Why Test for Glycol Concentration?
Whether it’s an EG or PG based thermal fluid, it is important to maintain the proper glycol concentration in your system for proper operation and maximum performance. When properly maintained, a glycol thermal fluid can last for years and will maximize the bang for your buck on initial fluid fills. However, if a system is left to run wild it can cause a lot of problems down the road from fouling to extensive system corrosion. In a worst-case scenario this could require a full system repair or replacement. The best-case scenario is a costly fluid flush and refill.
What Causes Thermal Fluid Degredation?
There are three main root causes for thermal fluid degradation:
Hgh Temperatures
Aeration or Oxygeneation
Bio-fouling or microbial growth
Like most other industrial fluids and lubricants, increasing temperatures and aeration rates will accelerate the degradation of glycol thermal fluids. The image below shows the impact of increasing levels of heat, aeration and oil contamination in PG based thermal fluid samples::
Dow Free Glycol Test Kits
Dow Chemical makes it easy for you to stay on top of your glycol thermal fluid health by offering free sample test kits that will help you routinely manage your systems. These kits allow for a high-level analysis of your fluid by testing for several different properties including:
Glycol Concentration (Both EG or PG)
Reserve Alkalinity and pH
Corrosive Water Ions (Chloride and Sulfate)
Corrosion Inhibitors and Corrosion Rates
Total Hardness (Calcium and Magnesium)
Unexpected Inhibitor Levels (MBT, Nitrate or Nitrite)
Dow offers this analsysis free for any system that contains 500 gallons of Dow fluid concentrate and results can be expected within 2-3 weeks. The fluid analysis sample kits are available in "2-Pak" or "6-Pak" options, referring to the number of sample jars within the kit itself.
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