Is Your Glycol System Ready for Winter?

When the weather starts to get colder, are you and your glycol systems ready?

Preparing for lower temperatures is an important aspect to consider when it comes to maintaining glycol systems. Specific steps need to be taken to ensure long-term work life and high-quality performance.

Be proactive this fall and winter and prepare your glycol systems for the change in weather before the cooler temperatures roll in by following these helpful tips.

Why Does It Matter?

Cold weather can have a significant impact on your glycol systems and equipment which can lead to disastrous results. That is why proper preparation of your glycol system is so crucial for the colder seasons.

Cooler temperatures can result in performance issues, greatly reducing the efficiency of your operations. Save yourself time and money by adhering to these rules of thumb to keep your systems’ as efficient as possible.

Preparing for Winter

There are steps for your glycol systems you can take before winter even creeps up on you. The first of these steps includes checking the concentration of your glycol using a refractometer.

KEY INSIGHT: A refractometer is an instrument for determining the refractive index of a substance. The refractive index is a measure of how much light bends when it passes from one transparent medium to The amount of refraction can be directly tied to the concentration of a solution.

To last through a chilly winter, your operations need to contain the correct amount and type of glycol mixture. The will help you determine the concentration, from which you can determine your freeze point. Once you have that value, you will need to decide if the current concentration provides adequate protection. If it does not, more glycol is needed. You should aim for a concentration that is around 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -3 degrees Celsius) below your lowest expected ambient temperature.

The glycol mixture that is added should be in the correct ratio. This can differ based on industry, climate, and manufacturer recommendations. A glycol chart will help you decide the correct ratio.

KEY INSIGHT: A glycol chart is a guide that tells you what the relationships is between a glycol mixture’s concentration and its properties. This can include freeze and boiling point, viscosity, and other important categories. This will vary based on the specific application and industry you are in.

Not adding the correct amount of mixture can lead to a host of issues. Internal pressure caused by expanding freezing water can burst condenser pipes. These leaks can then cause flooding and damage to property, stock, and assets.

In addition to adding the right amount of glycol to the mixture, conduct an inspection of your systems before the freeze arrives. This will allow you to catch cracks or leaks in the pipes and other parts of your production.

If you encounter snow, ice, or other debris on the chiller condenser coils, it is crucial to remove this as it can cause damage to equipment including. It could also restrict air flow, which would then reduce the cooling potential of the chiller.

Working Through Winter

By following the previous steps, you will put your operations in a favorable position through the colder months. But the work isn’t done there, there are still actions to be taken.

The steps you took to prepare should leave enough glycol in the system for the winter, but you will still need to keep an eye on the levels in the reservoir to ensure they do not fall to an unmanageable level.

Another critical aspect to consider is making the decision to keep the pumps running throughout the winter. Doing this adds heat to the motor from the pumps which will prevent the fluid from freezing over.

Conclusion

Impending weather change doesn’t need to be a cause of stress. By preparing for the effects of cold weather before it arrives and being vigilant during the season, you will ensure that your glycol systems will deliver high-quality performance for a long time to come.