Antifreeze

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Antifreeze is used in internal combustion engines, and for many other heat transfer applications, such as electronics cooling and chillers for HVAC. Chemical compound are added to water to reduce the freezing point of the mixture to below the lowest temperature that the system is likely to be exposed to, and to corrosion inhibitor in cooling systems which often contain a range of electrochemically incompatible metals (aluminum, cast iron, copper, lead solder, etc.). The term "colligative agent" is to be preferred as, in warm climates, the benefit of these compounds is to increase the boiling point of the coolant, which should then be more properly referred to as "anti-boil", and as anti-freeze decreases and increases both properties, respectively, "colligative agent" more accurately describes the liquid. The term "engine coolant" is widely used in industry.

Agents Methanol Until the late 1930s, methanol was the most widely used antifreeze. While effective in preventing the coolant from freezing, its low boiling point and low specific heat capacity led to considerably less cooling than water alone. Also, the concentration of methanol would tend to be reduced over time due to its greater tendency to evaporate than the water with which it was mixed.

Ethylene glycol Ethylene glycol solutions became available in 1937 and were marketed as "permanent antifreeze", since the higher boiling points provided advantages for summertime use as well as during cold weather. They are still used today. Ethylene glycol antifreezes are poisonous and should be kept away from any person or animal (children and especially dogs) that might be tempted by its sweet taste. They form calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys and can cause acute renal failure and death. All spills should be cleaned, or else an area in which it may be present should be kept inaccessible to those who might ingest it.

Should ingestion of antifreeze occur, ethanol (alcoholic beverages) can be administered until proper treatment can be started in order to slow the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid which are the substances responsible for Methylated spirit. In practice, ethanol can be administered intravenously by doctors to counter ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning, but now that another antidote is available (fomepizole), its popularity for this application is greatly in decline.

In order to prevent ingestion, bittering agent (denatonium) is usually added to engine coolant to make it taste unpleasant. In the United States, there is legislation before Congress ( H.R.2567/ S.1110) that would make the use of a bittering agent mandatory.

Propylene glycol Propylene glycol, on the other hand, is considerably less toxic and may be labeled as "non-toxic antifreeze". It is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in pipes in homes, as well as numerous other settings. It is also used in food, medicines, and cosmetics, often as a binding agent. Propylene glycol is "generally recognized as safe" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food. However, propylene glycol-based antifreeze should not be considered safe for consumption. In the event of accidental ingestion, emergency medical services should be contacted.

Other developments In the 1980s inventor Jack Evans discovered the advantages of using a waterless coolant. His final formulation is a mixture of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. This coolant has a high boiling point of 188 °C (370 °F) and is not corrosive, solving many of water's problems including freezing.

Most commercial antifreeze formulations include corrosion inhibitor compounds, and a colored dye (commonly a green, red or blue fluorescent) to aid in identification. A 1:1 concentration with water is usually used, resulting in a freezing point of approximately −40 °C (−40 °F). In warmer areas weaker dilutions are used.

Glycol antifreeze solutions should generally be replaced with fresh mixture every two years. Many modern cars now come filled with organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze (such as Dex-Cool), which has an extended service life of five years. However Dex-cool has caused severe corrosion and ruined radiators and manifolds and should be flushed out of GM cooling systems, rather than relying on the purported 5 year service life. Although these still contain glycol, OAT solutions may not be compatible with conventional inorganic-based coolants containing glycol (e.g., with silicates, borates, phosphates) and, if changing from one type to the other, the cooling system must be thoroughly flushed with clean water. Clearing Up Coolant Confusion: Coolant Flush & Fill section. Typically OAT antifreeze contains a red or pink dye to differentiate it from the conventional inorganic coolants (blue or green). Some of the newer technology OAT coolants claim to be compatible with all types of OAT and inorganic-based coolants; these are typically green or yellow in color.

References

Further reading

Antifreeze Poisoning
Slate.com: Why is antifreeze so delicious?
GM Owners Still Steaming Over Dex-Cool
Engine Coolant Change Information & Procedure

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