3. Conclusion

The choice of heat- or cold-transfer fluids for an industrial process is based on the evaluation of numerous criteria: economic, of course, adaptation to operating temperatures, compatibility with the materials of the technical device, energy performance defined by the indicators presented above, toxicity and flammability, and environmental impact.

A recent trend –, driven by the quest for greater energy efficiency and intelligent management of thermal systems –, is leading to changes in the uses and functions of heat and cold transfer fluids: in some systems, fluids are also required to store heat and cold.

This remarkable evolution, which concerns both high-temperature devices using alternative energies (concentrated solar power plants, for example) and low-temperature devices for refrigeration or air conditioning, has led to the development...