Refrigerant is an adjective that refers to what refrigerates. Refrigerating, on the other hand, is the action that is carried out to achieve that the temperature of something drops.
The term can be linked to the duct that has a double wall: a liquid flows through it and is cooled by the influence of another that is in the external enclosure.
A refrigerant, on the other hand, is a substance that absorbs heat from another body and therefore cools it. The water, either in liquid or ice, is the most common refrigerant used since prehistoric times.
Over time, man began to investigate the action of these refrigerants, adding salt to water, modifying the steam pressure and using compressed air. As early as the 19th century, the use of methyl chloride, ammonia, and other fluids as refrigerants became common.
At present, the refrigerants used at an industrial level must have certain properties that guarantee their stability and safety during use. In general, these are substances that are not flammable or explosive, and also do not corrode the materials with which they come into contact.
Equipment air conditioning, cold storage and ice plants are some of the facilities that require cooling to operate. In automobiles, a coolant that combines glycol and water is used to dissipate heat from the engine and thus prevent overheating.
Coolant and water in cars
Choosing a good coolant for your car is not easy, as there are many options and also different points of view as to which is best practice. Some people even wonder if it is possible to mix it with plain water. Another common question is how often it is necessary to replace it. Let's see below some concepts and points of view related to this topic.Thanks to acting as an antioxidant and having a boiling point higher than that of water, the coolant is more efficient for the cooling system of a car. Based on this explanation, it is correct to say that it is not advisable to mix both products or simply opt for water, but to limit yourself to using the liquid recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
But what happens if we use water instead of coolant, exactly? First, it can lead to the formation of particles that act as a blockage in the system, hindering flow and exposing it to excessive temperatures and high pressures.
In addition, if water has been used for a long time, going directly into the coolant can also have negative consequences, such as causing damage to the cooling system. A very precise reason is that the coolant is also capable of cleaning the ducts that it passes through, dragging all the elements that it finds in its path, and when it promotes the detachment of rust fragments caused by water, these can obstruct or damage soft tissues. engine, such as hoses.
To avoid such a situation, it is best to take the car to a specialist, to examine it and determine if the change can be made. However, it should be mentioned that the instructions produced by car manufacturers always specify what kind of fluid should be used.
As a curious fact, the higher the height above sea level of a city, the lower the boiling point of liquids, both water and coolant. Although these are minor differences, of a few degrees, this may be one more reason to avoid the use of water in the cooling system.