15 May Significance of Fluid Thermal Stability
Fluid Thermal Stability
Thermal stability is an important indicator to value the quality of heat transfer fluid. It means fluid resistance to chemical degradation under high temperature. Thermal cracking and polymerization action will inevitably occur when fluid operation temperature gradually rising, which change the fluid chemical structures and decrease its thermal efficiency, leading to degraded fluid quality, shortened service life and potential operation risk.
Test Method
Thermal stability test of heat transfer fluid is based on the Chinese national standard of GB 23971-2009 Heat Transfer Fluid. Put a certain amount of fluid into a lab test sealed container. Heat the contained fluid up to a certain temperature during the schedule time. Inspect the deteriorating rate of heated fluid to estimate its thermal stability. The deteriorating rate is the sum total of mass fraction of high boilers, low boilers, gas phase decomposed products and other unvaporized products. According to the GB 23971-2009 Heat Transfer Fluid, the thermal stability is qualified when the deteriorating rate of tested fluid is less than 10%.
Significance of Fluid Thermal Stability
Fluid thermal cracking generates gas and low boilers which will decrease fluid flash point and increase system operation pressure fluctuation, leading to pump cavitation heat transfer degradation. Polymerization reaction produces high boilers and unvaporized products which will easily increase fluid viscosity, decrease flow velocity, thicken fluid film and worsen thermal efficiency. High boilers precipitate and polymerize into colloid and asphaltene, resulting in carbon residues growth and even pipeline coking. Coking substances stick to the pipe inner surfaces, lowering system heat transfer efficiency, adding system energy consumption and even blocking system pipeline and triggering accident hazard.
Property of fluid thermal stability directly affects system operation safety, fluid service life and users’ economic benefit.
How to Purchase the Qualified Fluid
Fluid with excellent thermal stability and high quality is the first choice for users. Excellent thermal stability will effectively decrease the speed of fluid thermal cracking and polymerization, improving fluid aging issues, which increases fluid service life and system operation safety.
Manufacturers of heat transfer fluid with good reputation, reliable quality management system and strong technical strength are able to provide users professional technical support, periodic fluid sample analysis and considerate after sales service.