Antifreeze is a liquid that does not freeze at low temperatures. It is widely used to cool internal combustion engines. And in aviation it is used as an anti-icing fluid, in industry it is necessary for installations operating at low temperatures.
Instructions
Step 1
There are several types of antifreeze. Salt is produced on the basis of hydrochloric acid or sodium chloride. Such a refrigerant is cheap, but it has one significant drawback, which negates all its advantages. The radiator must be made of silver, gold or platinum in order for the brine solution to be poured into the car's cooling system. Any other material is not resistant to corrosion. If you pour salt antifreeze into a regular radiator, the salt will settle on the walls. This will corrode much faster than a normal aqueous solution.
Step 2
Glycerine antifreezes have already been used in cars in the past. They were popular in the 20s. XX century They were very viscous and therefore had poor flow properties. The consumption of such antifreeze was high, and a lot of energy was spent on "pumping" the coolant. Today these antifreezes are used in heating systems.
Step 3
Antifreezes for heating systems should be singled out as a separate group. It is more correct to call such fluids heat transfer fluids. Automotive ethylene glycol antifreezes are not used in heating systems. It's all about the toxicity of ethylene glycols.
Step 4
Refrigerants used in heating systems are produced on a propylene glycol or glycerin basis. These substances are safer and are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Also, these organic substances are used in cooling systems and air conditioners of all kinds of industries.
Step 5
Glycolic antifreezes are very widespread. In Russia, most automotive antifreezes are made from monoethylene glycol, much less often triethylene glycol or diethylene glycol is used for their production.
Step 6
An important property of liquids is that they are able to lower the freezing point of their aqueous solutions. The solution freezes at temperatures from 0 to -68 °, it all depends on the proportion of ethylene glycol and water. The use of corrosion inhibitors and other additives not only reduces the harmful effect on the cooling system, but also increases the boiling point of the fluid.
Step 7
Alcohol antifreezes are used for windshield wipers, pneumatic brakes. They are not used in engines, since alcohols have good flammability.
