Reliable heat transfer fluids are vital to the ability of manufacturers to operate efficiently and productively. However, some heat transfer fluids can degrade over time, resulting in deteriorating performance, impacting operating costs and product quality. With these possible consequences, how can manufacturers ensure they are choosing the right heat transfer fluid, and prevent these problems from occurring?
Grupo Primex – Latin America’s largest manufacturer of PVC resins, phthalic anhydride, plasticizers and PVC compounds – operates two parallel heat transfer systems that present a unique comparison. Solutia Inc.’s Therminol® 66 heat transfer fluid has supported one of these systems for more than 15 years. A diaryl alkyl chemistry product, rated to 350 °C (660 °F), has been utilized in the second system over the past five years.
Contrasting Results
Since the 1980s, the system supported by Therminol 66 has performed without problem. However, after just three years, the system utilizing the alternate heat transfer fluid began to demonstrate a decline in performance. Francisco Nava, production manager for Grupo Primex, describes the escalating problems. “First we experienced pluggage in our instrument tubing. Soon after, we observed damage to the mechanical seals and problems began occurring in the heat transfer proces