Ethyl and isopropyl alcohol blends as alternative secondary fluids

Methyl and ethyl alcohol based secondary fluids are commonly used in different indirect refrigeration systems due to relatively good thermophysical properties. Methyl alcohol is considered toxic and not permitted for use as secondary fluid in most of Europe. Ethyl alcohol based secondary fluids are commonly used in Sweden due to their low toxicity and good properties. Commercially available ethyl alcohol based fluids contain up to 10 wt-% denaturing agents in form of propyl alcohol (2-propanol, isopropanol) and nbutyl alcohol (n-butanol). Results show that presence of propyl alcohol in the ethyl alcohol based secondary fluid improves its thermophysical properties such as specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity when added in small concentration. The aim of this paper is to investigate the thermophysical properties of various ethyl and isopropyl alcohol blends in order to find the most optimal blend as well as to evaluate if this blend could become a competitive alternative secondary fluid.
QC 20170628