Did you know there are many options to consider when selecting thermal fluids?

  1. Temperature is Everything – match your bulk temperature but also consider film temperature, heater type
  2. Controlling Oxidation – high temperature air exposure can destroy the wrong fluid quickly
  3. Maximizing Fluid Life – short-term or long-term use – invest wisely
  4. Availability is Critical – thermal fluids are often critical to production – how long can you wait for your thermal fluid to ship?
  5. Reliable Service & Support – thermal fluids are maintenance-intensive, but can your vendor help you if there are problem

Read More

 

5 Tips for Finding a Thermal Fluid

Temperature is Everything

When choosing a thermal fluid, the most important operating temperature you need to be aware of is your bulk fluid temperature. Whichever fluid you use, you’ll want to be sure it is rated higher than your expected bulk temperature while in operation. Next, you’ll want to consider your fluid’s film or skin temperature – the temperature at the point of contact between the fluid and the heat source (boiler tubes, immersion heaters, etc.). Maintaining sufficient turbulent flow is key in keeping film temperatures at manageable levels while operating. If you plan to run close to the upper limit of a fluid’s bulk temperature, you should further investigate your equipment manufacturer’s film temperature. The same holds in any system that is not designed to circulate the fluid. In most cases, these systems use immersion heater(s), so you will want to make sure your heater(s) watt density is suitable for your fluid. To find out more about the importance of watt density, please see this article – https://durathermfluids.com/watts-robbing-service-life/.

Controlling Oxidation

Oxidation is the leading cause of fluid degradation, and when left unchecked, it will lead to premature fluid failure, requiring replacement. Oxidation results when hot fluid comes into contact with air – the hotter the fluid is when exposed, the faster it will oxidize and the shorter its service life will be. All Duratherm fluids are enhanced with strong antioxidants to ward off oxidation, giving them up to 80% longer service life in high-exposure environments. This article explains in more detail with tips on how to avoid oxidation – https://durathermfluids.com/avoiding-oxidation-thermal-degradation/.

Maximizing Fluid Life

There are many brands of thermal fluids on the market today, and obviously, some are better than others. Most will transfer heat, but there is one key performance factor that sets them apart: service life. If your application is short-term or your system is used infrequently, you can certainly save money by going with a lower grade of thermal fluid. But, if you’re investing in a fluid for long-term operation, often upwards of 10-15 years, you should weigh the advantages of going with a fluid that’s engineered to last. This chart illustrates how Duratherm fluids outperform the competition – https://durathermfluids.com/why/report/.

Availability is Critical

Many high-volume production operations rely on thermal fluids to keep them operating at their peak efficiency, 24/7. But let’s face it: leaks can and do happen, and when they do, how fast can your supplier deliver to get your back up and to run? Duratherm maintains a large inventory that we can ship same-day, helping you keep any downtime to a minimum.

Reliable Service and Support

Everyone wants their operation to run trouble-free, but when problems do arise, you need to resolve them fast to minimize any downtime. Equipment-side issues can impact the thermal fluid – sometimes significantly. The trouble is that by the time you notice a problem, there may already be severe fluid degradation and possibly system fouling (sludge, carbon).

There are many thermal fluid suppliers – from specialized thermal fluid-only companies like Duratherm to broad-range lubricant or chemical manufacturers. Whomever you choose to supply you with the lifeblood of your system, make sure they can support you well into the future. Duratherm offers life-time complimentary fluid analysis and knowledgeable after-sales support along with system troubleshooting to help you get the most out of your fluid and keep your plant operating safely.

Give us a call today at 1-800-446-4910, and we’ll help you find the thermal fluid that’s right for you.