HTF Compact Nanofluid Solutions is a breakthrough nanotechnology which improves the heat transfer within hydronic systems. It rearranges the molecular structure of the fluid improving the heat transfer rate by leveraging metallic oxide nanoparticles suspended in solution. Nanofluids are well-dispersed metallic or non-metallic nanoparticles suspended at low volume fractions in conventional base liquids. The addition of the nanoparticles to the mixture contributes to enhancing the thermal conductivity of the fluids. The presence of nanoparticles enhances the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid mainly due to a better interaction within the heat transfer regions through a micro convection mechanism (Brownian motion) of nanoparticles in the coolant. Nanofluids with enhanced thermal conductivity are beneficial for heat transfer applications as they do not block flow channels inducing a very small pressure drop and the vigorous Brownian motion of suspended nanoparticles in base fluids makes nanofluids more stable.
Many factors resulted to impact on the nanofluids thermal conductivity as the temperature, the volume fractions, the particle size, the aspect ratio (an indication on the shape of the nanoparticle), the weight concentration, the amount of surfactant used, the presence of an ultrasonication step, etc. Moreover, the preparation process of the nanofluid, one-step or two-steps, seems to be influencing the nanofluid thermal conductivity. Nanofluids were introduced by Choi in 1995 and have been drawing interest of the scientific community in the last decades, moving from a theoretical point of view to the fine tuning of nanofluids properties for various applications such as electronic components, nuclear reactors, building heating and cooling system, water boiling, and many more.
Because of this increased in heat transfer, HTF Compact enables the heat to be transferred faster and more efficiently improving energy efficiency of 30% in broad applications such as HVAC or boiler systems.
The increased thermal conductivity is attributed to the presence of nanoparticles. Thermal conductivity in a heat transfer fluid is the main factor influencing the heat transfer efficiency. HTF Compact reduces the approach temperature in heat exchangers whether they are water-to-water, water-to-air or refrigerant-to-water. Through a more efficient heat transfer, the energy consumers (e.g. boiler, heat pump or chiller) need to run less to reach the required temperature set points.
HTF Compact enhances the heat transfer of water and glycol systems and allows these systems to maintain desired temperature with less energy required. This is achieved through a substantial decrease in compressor run time resulting in long lasting savings in energy consumption; considering that the nanoparticles in solution increase the thermal conductivity of the coolant, then the heat is transferred faster which has a direct effect in reducing the power required at the compressor to assure the heat load management. Finally, environmentally conscious companies can benefit from a carbon footprint reduction and demonstrate their social responsibility when using HTF Compact.
Our nanofluid has proven to be stable meaning that nanoparticles fully stay in suspension and do not agglomerate over time. HTF Compact has undergone rigorous laboratory testing which were validated by prominent independent universities as well as in real-world applications. The nanoparticles contained in HTF Compact do not cause electrolysis, as they are oxides. HTF Compact will not cause erosion or corrosion in systems nor in equipment. Copper oxide, main active component of HTF Compact, is inert and non-carcinogenic.
Currently in the market there is nothing like HTF Compact, there is not a comparison point to our services available. The innovation behind HTF Compact is something others are looking at and are inspired by, this is the confirmation that we are the scientific leader in the Industrial sector , and we have found the right balance between performance and long terms sustainability.
Being the innovators and scientific leader, it is a responsibility we are conscious about, and it is pushing us to improve every day and to develop new ideas. Preparing a homogeneous suspension is still a technical challenge due to strong van der Waals interactions between nanoparticles always favoring the formation of aggregates. In general, reducing the size of the nanoparticles and increasing the viscosity of the base fluid are the main strategies to increase the stability of the suspension. Other methods to obtain stable nanofluids can be both chemical and physical, such as the addition of surfactant, the surface modification of the suspended particles or the application of powerful forces on the clustered nanoparticles.
In the specific application for heat transfer enhancement there are other factors to keep in mind: the materials that compose the system and the specific water used and its mixtures with glycol. Glycol is used mainly to have the possibility to extend the temperature ranges of water-based nanofluids, lowering the freezing point and increasing the boiling point of the mixture, allowing the use in more applications. Glycol, however, reduces the thermal conductivity of the system, if compared to a water-based system, and it is still an additional chemical to be introduced in the system.
Other producers are neglecting these last factors, but a water with different chemical composition and hardness, or a different water/glycol volume ratio can drastically modify the stability of the nanofluids and hence the thermal properties, the efficiency and potential damage to the system following aggregation phenomena.
With the Water Enhanced Solution we have found the right balance and overcome stability related issues, because we are not only looking at our product but mainly at the system it is going to be installed.
Our product has benefits in terms of energy and CO2 gas emissions reduction,is easy to use from installation to commissioning, and the quantity of product to be used is reduced to the minimum to allow minimal impact into operations and a fair market price.