Coolants are used to aid in dissipating heat. In an internal combustion engine, this heat is generated by fuel combustion and the friction between the various moving parts. A basic internal combustion engine is able to convert only a third of the total energy generated into mechanical energy. Out of the remaining two-thirds, a third goes out of the engine through exhaust. The remaining energy is converted into heat. It is for this heat that an engine coolant is required. Once an engine is powered on, the coolant flows from top to bottom in a repetitive motion extracting heat from the engine. It may also have anti-freeze and corrosion protection properties. Coolant transfers heat to the radiator and it blows it out into the environment. Engine coolant thus helps an engine work smoothly and efficiently.
Not every liquid is an efficient heat transfer material. Selection of right engine coolant according to the environment and other prevailing conditions and the materials that constitute the engine is necessary. In extreme cold, the engine requires a coolant which has inherent or added anti-freeze properties. When glycols are combined with water they display all these characteristics. This is why glycols are the base for all engine coolants. A modern engine coolant is a combination of ethylene or propylene glycol with de-ionized water with added anti-corrosion materials and dyes.
Glycol based engine coolants contain one of two frequently used chemicals - ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Both can be used in internal combustion engines and heavy-duty engines. Ethylene glycol is cost effective but toxic in nature. Propylene glycol is also used as a de-icing agent on runways and in aircraft. Propylene glycol is not that cheap but environment friendly. Propylene Glycol is a widely used engine coolant because of its several advantages:
• Has a low freezing point and high boiling point that enables it to work in extreme weather conditions.
• Because of low freezing and high boiling points, it provides burst protection to an engine. Since liquids expand when they freeze solid, low temperatures make pipes, tubes and containment vessels vulnerable.
• Its high boiling point allows it to sustain extremely hot conditions. It has a comparatively lower chance of catching fire than any other coolant.
• It decreases the freezing point when added to water.
• It is non-toxic and rarely harmful to animal life though frequent contact with skin may cause irritation.
Not every liquid is an efficient heat transfer material. Selection of right engine coolant according to the environment and other prevailing conditions and the materials that constitute the engine is necessary. In extreme cold, the engine requires a coolant which has inherent or added anti-freeze properties. When glycols are combined with water they display all these characteristics. This is why glycols are the base for all engine coolants. A modern engine coolant is a combination of ethylene or propylene glycol with de-ionized water with added anti-corrosion materials and dyes.
Glycol based engine coolants contain one of two frequently used chemicals - ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Both can be used in internal combustion engines and heavy-duty engines. Ethylene glycol is cost effective but toxic in nature. Propylene glycol is also used as a de-icing agent on runways and in aircraft. Propylene glycol is not that cheap but environment friendly. Propylene Glycol is a widely used engine coolant because of its several advantages:
• Has a low freezing point and high boiling point that enables it to work in extreme weather conditions.
• Because of low freezing and high boiling points, it provides burst protection to an engine. Since liquids expand when they freeze solid, low temperatures make pipes, tubes and containment vessels vulnerable.
• Its high boiling point allows it to sustain extremely hot conditions. It has a comparatively lower chance of catching fire than any other coolant.
• It decreases the freezing point when added to water.
• It is non-toxic and rarely harmful to animal life though frequent contact with skin may cause irritation.
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