Key Fluid Types and Properties
| Fluid Type | Thermal Conductivity | Viscosity | Freeze Protection | Specialized Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | High (best) | Low | None (freezes at 0°C) | Baseline for comparison |
| Ethylene Glycol/Water (EGW) | Moderate | Low-Moderate | Excellent (low freezing point) | Automotive antifreeze (avoid in heat exchangers due to silicate additives) |
| Propylene Glycol/Water (PGW) | Moderate (slightly < EGW) | Moderate | Good | Food processing, enclosed spaces |
| Dielectric Fluids | Low | Low | Varies | Electronics cooling |
| Nanofluids | Enhanced (variable) | Varies | Depends on base fluid | High-performance applications (research focus) |
| EV-Specific Fluids | Low (intentional) | Optimized | Custom formulations | EV battery thermal management (prioritize low conductivity + corrosion protection) |
Efficiency Considerations
- Cooling Potential: Water outperforms all common fluids in thermal conductivity, but glycol mixes compensate with freeze protection and chemical stability.
- Pump Efficiency: Low-viscosity fluids like EGW reduce pumping power requirements, critical for large-scale systems.
- Safety vs Performance: Dielectric fluids trade thermal conductivity for electrical insulation, while EV fluids prioritize preventing thermal runaway.
- Advanced Solutions: Immersion cooling (using specialized fluids) scores highest in fast charging (5/5) and safety (5/5) for EV batteries, though fluid specifics depend on implementation.
Emerging Trends
- Nanofluids: Engineered suspensions (e.g., metal oxides in base fluids) show enhanced conductivity in testing, but face commercialization challenges.
- EV Fluids: New formulations like Prestone’s EV-specific fluids target the unique low-conductivity/corrosion-resistance balance required for battery safety.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-different-thermal-management-fluids-compare-in-efficiency/
