can become viscous and waxed . Frozen heat transfer fluid is difficult to bring to temperature and using it before restoring the fluid at ambient temperatures could damage the pump and other integral equipment .
The best way to avoid downtime caused by waxed viscous fluid is to keep pumps running when temperatures drop below 8 ° C . The friction and heat from the pump will keep the oil at a temperature that ensures it stays warm and less viscous — warm pipes also raise the ambient temperature , reducing the risk of pipes freezing . Taking these steps , particularly if plant managers shut down operations over winter , helps reduce unnecessary wear on critical parts of the system and avoid issues with lack of flow during start-up .
Have contingency fluid
Thermal fluid will contract when temperatures change significantly , reducing the amount of fluid in the system . A reduction in fluid quantity will impact system efficiency and could accelerate wear on critical system components . To maintain productivity , operations engineers
Just like the cold weather can affect our homes , it can also have an impact on the components of a heat transfer system and the fluid itself .
should regularly check fluid levels , top up when needed and have reserve fluid available to ensure they can intervene .
Order a spill kit To maintain safe operations , it ’ s always good practice to keep a spill kit on site , placed close by the system so it ’ s easily accessible . The kit includes personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and absorbent materials to quickly address any spills or leaks . This is particularly important in winter so that any spilled fluid doesn ’ t freeze , which could lead to slips and trips .
Check your CDX tank Many heat transfer systems are susceptible to moisture and debris contamination over time . If left unattended , moisture can negatively impact the system ’ s performance and efficiency .
Expansion tanks , such as CDX tanks , have a drain on the condensate ( dump ) side to help manage this .
Manufacturers that have a CDX tank can open this valve during winter months . As the thermal fluid expands and contracts during production , air will move around the tank , which can release moisture content . Opening the valve to release one or two litres of fluid will let out any moisture and debris — it ’ s good practice to do this on a monthly basis all year round to prolong fluid life and maximise uptime .
As we get closer to winter , taking the time to check and maintain our homes means we can be confident that , once we turn the heating on , everything will work well . Similarly , when working with thermal fluids , adding a few extra steps to your preventative maintenance plan , can help manufacturers keep operations running over the colder months and during winter shutdowns .
For more advice on thermal fluid management in winter months , contact Global Heat Transfer . www . globalhtf . com
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