Corrosivity of glycol antifreezes in solar systems

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5248095

Foresti, R J

The National Solar Data Network (NSDN) has been continuously monitoring the performance of solar energy systems throughout the country for the past four years. A number of antifreeze solutions from the solar collector loops were chemically analyzed to determine the nature of the antifreezes and their effect on corrosion. The solutions had various residence times in the systems, but, with the exception of three systems, these times were unknown. It was found that a wide variety of antifreeze-corrosion inhibitor systems were being used, and no pattern could be detected to indicate a preference of quality. A question was raised on toxicity, where toxic inhibitors were added to nontoxic antifreezes, i.e., proplyene glycol. The results appear to refute published laboratory studies that predict significant decomposition of the glycols. It appears the corrosion is not a serious problem for inhibited ethylene or propylene glycol solutions in properly constructed copper systems.

• Research Organization: Test Dept. of Vitro Lab., Silver Spring, MD
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-79CS30027
• OSTI ID: 5248095
• Journal Information: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States), Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Vol. 89:1B; ISSN ASHTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALCOHOLS
ALKENES
ANTIFREEZE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER
CORROSION
CORROSION INHIBITORS
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
ETHYLENE
GLYCOLS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
METALS
MONITORING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROPYLENE
SEIDB
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS