The Impact of the Use of Antifreeze Substances on the Heating Installation Thermohydraulic Parameters and Energy Consumption

This article discusses the effect of application of antifreeze substances on thermohydraulic parameters and energy consumption of a heating installation with convective radiators. A comparative theoretical and computational analysis is performed for water and two alternative heating mediums: a 50% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. It is indicated that antifreeze substances and their aqueous solutions may cause a reduction in the radiator heat output and an increase in hydraulic resistance, which results in the entire system higher energy consumption and lower efficiency. It is then justified that the heating installation design should take account of the use of a glycol aqueous solution instead of water to avoid an excessive drop in the installation energy indicators and prevent deterioration of the building thermal comfort conditions.

Automated summary

This article compares the effects of water and glycol aqueous solutions on convective radiator heating systems, highlighting the potential issues caused by antifreeze substances and suggesting the use of glycol aqueous solutions in heating system designs to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort conditions in buildings.