Water-alcohol and water-ammonia mixtures
Low temperature heat transfer fluids. Properties

Dissolving low-freezing fluids, such as alcohols, in water to obtain refrigerant fluids is a technique traditionally used by refrigeration engineers. The most commonly used antifreezes are: ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol with formula C₂H₄(OH)₂), propylene glycol (1-2 propylene glycol with formula C₃H₆(OH)₂). More anecdotal remains the use of ethanol (C₂H₅OH), methanol (CH₃OH) and glycerol (C₅H₁₀O₄). Ammonia dissolved in water (ammonia water) is also used as a refrigerant.

• The main properties of these fluids (in their pure state) are shown in table 3. As can be seen, ethanol and methanol are flammable and explosive; ammonia is toxic and, under certain conditions, explosive. The use of these...