The use of Glycerin in engine coolants for tropical countries

Use of glycerin as a base for antifreeze is not a new idea. ASTM International published standards wherein the use of Glycerin within antifreeze and engine coolant products is seen as a feasible alternative. ASTM D7640 covers engine coolant grade glycerin (1, 2, 3 Propanetriol, Glycerol) with 99.5% purity and ASTM D7714 covers the requirements for Glycerin base engine coolants used in automobiles or other light duty service cooling systems. This paper aims to demonstrate the best composition of an Engine coolant Glycerin base designed to be diluted with water at 35%/65% vol/vol in comparison to a conventional Engine Coolant Ethylene Glycol (EG) base also diluted at 35%/65% vol/vol. Experiments were run to define the best amount of Glycerin could replace Ethylene Glycol in Engine Coolant Concentrate formula. Fleet test to investigate the cooling performance as well as chemical analysis in the coolant after vehicle exposure were also run to identify any possible chemical interference of the Glycerin in engine cooling system. Also, a couple of physical chemical characteristics of the final formula were investigated and analyzed in comparison to the conventional Ethylene Glycol Base coolant. The results of the best composition of an Engine Coolant Glycerin Base diluted with water at 35/65% vol/vol are satisfactory. No damage in parts and appearance and no issue in cooling performance were observed indicating a good alternative for Engine Coolants.