As a coolant in the heating system of private houses, as a rule, water is used, but antifreeze is also used for these purposes. Before following this technology, you need to ask why it is necessary to use the mentioned substance, and how to choose it correctly for the heating system.
Benefits of using antifreeze
As a universal heat carrier for heating systems, only water was used for a long time. This is due to its physicochemical characteristics, including specific capacity, which is 4.169 kJ/kg. However, there are a number of factors that can limit the use of water as a universal coolant. Among them, one can single out the moment that the transition temperature of a substance from a liquid to a solid state is 0 degrees. Among other things, at the time of freezing, the volume of water increases by about 10%, this will certainly cause damage to the networks in which the liquid was before freezing. That is why, when the above conditions are likely to occur, antifreeze is used for the heating system of a country house, which has more flexible properties.
Efficient and optimal operation can be ensured by using the above substance for the air heating system. In this case, we are not talking about liquids such as ethyl alcohol, transformer oil or automobile antifreeze. When choosing antifreeze, it is important to consider that it must be safe in terms of possible ignition and flammability. Among other things, there are some restrictions that are prescribed by the regulations for residential premises. Antifreeze should not react to a metal surface after contact with it.
Varieties of antifreeze for the heating system
If you need antifreeze for the heating system of a country house, then you should know about the chemical characteristics of this substance. It is based on aqueous solutions of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol. These compounds in their pure form are aggressive enough to be used in heating systems. But there are special additives designed to protect against the appearance of foam, corrosion, scale, as well as damage to fittings and individual elements in the network.
These additives are able to increase thermal stability, which is provided in the temperature range from -70 to +110 degrees. It should be noted that the absence of thermal degradation is noted even at temperatures ranging from +165 to +175degrees. You should choose such an antifreeze for the heating system of a country house so that it does not react to plastic, elastomers and rubber.
When to choose ethylene glycol antifreeze
Antifreeze, whose manufacturers are located in Russia, is intended for use in a heating system. Such substances are quite widely represented on the market of modern goods; they are created on the basis of ethylene glycol. If necessary, you can choose for yourself one of the options. Thus, the substance can freeze at -30 or -65 degrees. In order to fill the system with antifreeze, you must first prepare a solution. To do this, dilute the substance with water. If you want to save money, then you should choose the ethylene glycol composition, as it has an insignificant cost.
This antifreeze for the heating system of a country house has a significant drawback, which is expressed in toxicity. The substance can cause harm to he alth by inhalation of fumes or contact with the skin. It is important to remember that the lethal dose of this substance for humans is equal to a volume equivalent to 250 ml. This disadvantage limits the use of antifreeze based on ethylene glycol in double-circuit heating networks. In them, the coolant can enter the circuit for heated water. For this reason, the use of such substances is limited exclusively to single-circuit systems. For safety, this coolant is painted red, which makes it easier to detect a leak.
When to choose propylene glycol antifreeze
Considering different brands of antifreeze, you can pay attention to propylene glycol varieties. They appeared at the end of the last century and quickly gained popularity for the reason that they are non-toxic. As advantages, one can single out complete harmlessness. This characteristic is the most important for two-circuit systems. Today, these coolants can also be found on the domestic market, and the instructions allow them to be operated at temperatures up to -35 degrees.
To identify such antifreezes, which are made from propylene glycol, they are painted green. Looking at the point of sale of antifreeze of different colors, you can pay attention to exactly the one that was described above. As an added benefit, propylene glycol is even an approved dietary supplement. It can be found in confectionery as an agent that promotes moisture retention, softening and dispersion of the substance.
When to choose triethylene glycol antifreeze
If you are thinking about the question of which antifreeze to pour, if the operating temperature reaches +180 degrees, then you can use substances based on triethylene glycol. They are characterized by high temperature stability.
But these coolants cannot be called products intended for wide use. Most often, such substances are used in special systems in which radiatorsfor antifreeze are designed for impressive temperatures.
Recommendations for choosing a coolant
If you want to choose the best antifreeze, it is recommended that you read the information provided in the article. Before proceeding with the pumping of a substance into the heating system, it is important to study the thermal properties of solutions that are based on ethylene glycol. The main components of such compositions are ethylene glycol and water, which is contained in the substance within 95%.
The rest of the elements of these liquids are all kinds of additives. If there is a need to choose an antifreeze that will have certain physical and chemical properties, then you need to look at the ratio of water and ethylene glycol. These two parameters can determine viscosity, boiling point, freezing point, thermal conductivity, volumetric expansion and heat capacity.
Pros of using antifreeze with additives
The individual properties of a particular type of antifreeze are determined by the additive package. The following characteristics will be important from these components: cost, anti-cavitation, service life, as well as anti-corrosion. The main task of additives when using antifreezes is to protect metals from corrosive processes. Studies show that additives can reduce corrosion of internal surfaces by up to 100 times. The layer of rust that forms on the inner walls of heating appliances and pipelines has very poor thermal conductivity, it is 50 times less than that of steel. Thus, rust appears inas a heat insulator.
Due to corrosive formations, the inner lumen of the pipe narrows. For this reason, the hydrodynamic resistance increases, and the speed of movement of the coolant in the pipeline system decreases. This can lead to an increase in energy costs. The formed rust particles in the coolant cause depressurization of the bearings of the circulation pumps. They clog heat exchange channels and elements of heating boilers. Thus, the user is faced with damage to the elements of heating systems.
The use of additives protects metal and heating systems from corrosion damage, thus increasing the service life of these elements by 15 years. Using an antifreeze solution based on propylene glycol or ethylene glycol without additives can cause large economic losses, especially when compared with the cost of an additive package.
Cons of using antifreeze
After you have decided what to fill in the heating system, it is important to take into account the fact that you need to maintain the recommended temperature range when using the described coolant. Regardless of the base, antifreeze does not tolerate overheating. Boiling can lead to the destruction of the structure. The average boiling point of this substance is in the range from 106 to 116 degrees. The specific mark will depend on how much the composition is diluted with water at the time of initial preparation for operation.
You must be aware that extreme overheating of the antifreeze can cause the anti-rust additives to degrade. After that, as a rule, decomposition and boiling off of glycols, which form acidic compounds, occurs. On the inner surfaces of the heating elements, carbon deposits begin to be deposited, which negatively affects the correct operation of the entire unit. Antifreeze, reviews of which are not always only positive, can be used to prevent such a danger. To do this, it will be necessary to provide enhanced circulation, which eliminates the possibility of overheating of the coolant.
In addition, it is possible to ensure that the heaters are completely covered with antifreeze, which eliminates the possibility of overheating. It is important to note that the features of the operation of the compositions, which are associated with a lower heat capacity, thermal conductivity and more impressive viscosity, should be taken into account by the method of choosing productive circulation pumps and radiators.
Additional cons
Any antifreeze will easily find even the smallest cracks and leaks, and leaks will form. Due to the fact that the swelling of seals and gaskets disappears in the solution environment, streaks will also form in these places. The reason here is the lower coefficient of surface tension. If you want to eliminate this trouble, then you need to tighten the connections. It is possible that such actions will have to be repeated several times. However, this is the only way to improve the sealing of the system.
This is especially important given the fact that ethylene glycol can oxidize when exposed to air. With an increase in the temperature of the coolant, the oxidation process will only accelerate by a factor of 2 per decade of the temperature scale. Then we should expect the already familiar situation described above. Oxidation products will contribute to the destruction of additives, which, in turn, will accelerate corrosion processes. That is why it is so important to ensure the complete tightness of the system, including expansion tanks.
Choice of antifreeze manufacturer
If you're considering antifreeze, you should be interested in manufacturers too. The Russian consumer most often chooses a domestic product, as it has the most affordable cost. Among the most common supplier companies are Teply Dom, Spektroplast, Hot Blood, and Dixis.
But the buyer most often refuses imported samples because of the impressive cost. In most cases, the base of such antifreezes contains ethylene glycol, the characteristics of which were presented above. The substance will need to be diluted with water to the required freezing point. It is important to consider not only the high cost of this product, but also its biggest drawback, which is expressed in toxicity.
Recommendations for use
If you are interested in the question of how to dilute antifreeze, then for a concentration of -65 degrees it will be necessary to mix 60% of the coolant and 40% of water. This will get the temperaturefreezing, equal to 25 degrees. The ratio is changed to 54% antifreeze and 46% water to obtain a freezing point within -20 degrees.
In order to know how much antifreeze is in the system, you need to add 90% of the substance and 10% of water, this will allow you to get a freezing point of -25 degrees, which is true for an antifreeze concentrate of -30 degrees. When using the same concentrate, but to obtain a freezing temperature within -20 degrees, it will be necessary to mix 20% water and 80% heat carrier.
Price of antifreeze
many consumers often ask how much antifreeze costs. First of all, you need to take into account that the volume of containers can be different. Thus, PRIMOCLIMA ANTIFROST brand antifreeze, which is made on the basis of glycerin, will cost 690 rubles per 10 kilograms. A substance from the same manufacturer, but made on the basis of ethylene glycol, will cost you 1,400 rubles per 20 kilograms.
Conclusion
After you know how much antifreeze costs, you can go to the store to buy a coolant that will last you for a long time. This moment, by the way, must also be taken into account when making a purchase, as well as the fact that you should not save on this substance. This is due to many reasons. First of all, the composition must be safe, this will significantly extend the life of each element of the heating system.
