TABLE 1: CIRCULATING FLUIDS 


ANTIFREEZE         ADVANTAGES                     DISADVANTAGES
FLUID

Water (W)          Low viscosity                  Corrosive
                   Inexpensive                    Impurities
                   High thermal conductivity      Expands as it freezes
                   Non-toxic                      High freezing point


Potassium          Non-corrosive                  Cost
acetate (PA)       Good thermal conductor         Can easily seep
                   Biodegradable                  Teflon tape may not seal joints
                   Non-toxic


Sodium chloride    Low viscosity/toxicity         Very corrosive
and water (SC)     Inexpensive                    High freezing point
                   Low volatility                 Requires extra care
                   Not flammable


Calcium chloride   Same as SC                     Requires extra care
and water (CC)     Lower freezing point than SC   Very corrosive
                                                  More expensive than SC


Methanol and       Inexpensive                    Volatile
water (MA)         Low corrosivity                Flammable
                   Good conductor                 Toxic


Ethanol and        Less volatile than MA          Less viscous than MA
water (EA)         Less flammable than MA         Less conductive than MA
                                                  More expensive than MA


Ethylene glycol    Non-corrosive                  Finite service life
and water (EG)     Low volatility                 More expensive than EA
                   Low flammability               Toxic
                                                  High viscosity at low temperatures


Propylene glycol   Non-corrosive                  More viscous than EG
and water (PG)     Low volatility                 More expensive than EG
                   Low flammability
                   Lower toxicity than EG