ECO-FRIENDLY SECONDARY REFRIGERANT · LOW-VISCOSITY SUB-ZERO FLUID

POTASSIUM FORMATE
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS

Inhibited secondary heat transfer fluid offering low viscosity down to -50°C, high specific heat capacity, non-toxicity, and low pumping energy in industrial cooling.

Operating Range: -50°C to +120°C High Specific Heat & Conductivity Secondary Refrigerant & Chiller Fluid

Refrigerant Performance Profile

Product Category Potassium Formate Secondary Fluid

Operating Range -50°C to +120°C

Kinematic Viscosity (-40°C) 12 mm²/s (Ultra-Low)

Primary Role Secondary Refrigerant & Chiller Fluid

Environmental Index ODP = 0, GWP < 1, Biodegradable

✓ Energy-Saving Industrial Chiller Fluid

Next-Generation Low-Viscosity Sub-Zero Heat Transfer Fluid

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluids represent an advanced, eco-friendly secondary refrigerant engineered specifically to replace traditional glycols (propylene/ethylene glycol) and calcium chloride brines in sub-zero industrial refrigeration systems. Formulated as a fully inhibited organic salt solution operating reliably from $-50^\circ\text{C}$ to $+120^\circ\text{C}$, this low-viscosity fluid exhibits exceptional thermophysical properties, including high specific heat capacity and high thermal conductivity. Unlike traditional glycols that experience severe viscosity spikes below $-10^\circ\text{C}$, Potassium Formate maintains low liquid flow resistance at deep sub-zero temperatures, drastically reducing pump electrical power consumption, improving heat exchanger overall heat transfer coefficients ($U$-values), and enabling smaller pump and piping dimensions. Combined with comprehensive multi-metal corrosion inhibitors, non-toxicity, zero ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0), and rapid environmental biodegradability, it provides optimal process cooling efficiency for pharmaceutical synthesis, food and beverage processing, commercial ice rinks, and industrial chillers.

ENGINEERING BENCHMARKS & THERMOPHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

Viscosity & Pumping Power Advantage Over Glycols

Examine the comparative thermophysical data showing why Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluids reduce pump work and maximize heat transfer efficiency at deep sub-zero temperatures down to $-50^\circ\text{C}$.

1. Kinematic Viscosity vs. Temperature (-50°C to +20°C)

Comparison of Kinematic Viscosity (mm²/s) between Potassium Formate 50% vs. Propylene Glycol 50% & Ethylene Glycol 50%

2. Relative Pumping Energy Savings at -30°C

Comparison of Pumping Electrical Power Requirement (kW) to Maintain Equivalent Heat Duty

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid features an organic alkali metal salt formulation that delivers up to 3x higher thermal conductivity than propylene glycol at $-30^\circ\text{C}$, resulting in dramatic reduction in evaporator surface area requirements.

CORE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Potassium Formate Secondary Fluid Metrics

Review key thermophysical parameters, operating temperature thresholds, and environmental indices for Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluids below.

Operating Temperature Range

-50°C to +120°C

Ultra-wide liquid phase thermal envelope suitable for deep freezing, process cooling, and thermal defrosting.

Thermal Capacity & Conductivity

High Specific Heat & Conductivity

Exhibits heat conductivity up to $0.56\text{ W/m}\cdot\text{K}$, enabling exceptionally fast cooling response and superior heat flux.

Primary Role & Application

Secondary Refrigerant & Chiller Fluid

Engineered as an energy-efficient liquid secondary coolant for industrial chillers, food freezing, and pharmaceutical processes.

Key Functional Benefits

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid provides significant thermodynamic and operational advantages over glycol secondary coolants.

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Low Pumping Energy Requirements

Ultra-low kinematic viscosity at sub-zero temperatures reduces pump friction head loss, cutting electrical energy costs by up to 50–65%.

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Superior Sub-Zero Heat Transfer

High thermal conductivity and turbulent flow regimes maximize heat exchanger heat flux ($W/m^2$) at $-40^\circ\text{C}$ operation.

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Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly

Zero Ozone Depletion Potential ($\text{ODP} = 0$) and Global Warming Potential ($\text{GWP} < 1$). Readily biodegradable organic salt chemistry.

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Advanced Multi-Metal Corrosion Protection

Formulated with long-life organic corrosion inhibitors, protecting carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, and cast iron.

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Non-Flammable & Explosion-Proof

Aqueous salt solution has no flash point, eliminating fire hazards in enclosed production spaces and food processing halls.

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Smaller Piping & Pump Footprint

High volumetric heat capacity allows lower circulation flow rates, enabling smaller pipe diameters and reduced capital expenditure.

Primary Target Applications

Wlocation deployment across industrial chilling, sub-zero food processing, pharmaceutical crystallization, and sports facilities.

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Food and Beverage Freezing

Non-toxic secondary coolant for blast freezers, spiral freezers, breweries, and dairy processing, replacing toxic ammonia in processing halls.

Food Freezing Cold Storage Non-Toxic Food Industry

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Pharmaceutical Process Cooling

Provides rapid heat extraction during exothermic reactor synthesis, batch crystallization, and sub-zero lyophilization units.

Pharma Reactors Crystallization Rapid Chill Pharma & Fine Chem

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Ice Rinks and Sports Arenas

Circulates beneath ice surfaces at $-15^\circ\text{C}$ to maintain uniform ice hardness while reducing refrigeration compressor power demand.

Ice Rinks Sports Arenas Energy Saving Recreation & HVAC

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Industrial Process Chiller Systems

High-performance liquid heat sink for central industrial chiller plants, environmental test chambers, and liquid-immersion cooling loops.

Process Chillers Test Chambers High Conductivity Industrial HVAC

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid Thermophysical Matrix

Thermophysical Parameter	Testing Standard / Condition	Technical Value
Chemical Base	Formulation Chemistry	Inhibited Aqueous Potassium Formate ($\text{HCOOK}$)
Operating Temperature Envelope	Continuous Liquid Service	-50°C to +120°C (-58°F to +248°F)
Crystallization / Freezing Point	ASTM D1177	< -50°C (Custom Concentration Available)
Density (20°C)	ISO 12185 / Hydrometer	1.35 – 1.38 g/cm³
Kinematic Viscosity (+20°C)	ASTM D445	2.1 mm²/s (cSt)
Kinematic Viscosity (-20°C)	ASTM D445	5.2 mm²/s (cSt)
Kinematic Viscosity (-40°C)	ASTM D445	12.0 mm²/s (cSt)
Specific Heat Capacity (+20°C)	Differential Scanning Calorimetry	2.85 kJ/kg·K
Thermal Conductivity (+20°C)	Transient Hot Wire Method	0.54 W/m·K
pH Value (Direct Fluid, 20°C)	ASTM D1287	8.0 – 9.5 (Inhibited Alkaline Buffer)
Environmental Index	OECD 301 Thermal Standard	ODP = 0, GWP < 1, Readily Biodegradable

System Metallurgy, Inhibitors & Fluid Management

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid is pre-inhibited with organic corrosion passivators that form a protective monomolecular film over metal pipe surfaces.

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Metallurgical Compatibility

• Recommended: Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel (304/316), Copper, Brass, Cast Iron, Rubber Seals (EPDM/NBR/FKM)
• Avoid: Unlined Zinc, Galvanized Steel, Magnesium Alloys

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Bulk Packaging & Supply Options

Supplied ready-to-use (or concentrated format) in 210 Liter PE Drums, 1,000 Liter IBC Totes, and Stainless Steel ISO Tank containers.

Information Desk

Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)

Get quick, technically vetted answers regarding Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluids, sub-zero viscosity, glycol conversion, and corrosion protection.

1. What is Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid and how does it function?

Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid is an environmentally friendly, inhibited secondary liquid refrigerant designed for sub-zero industrial cooling (operating from $-50^\circ\text{C}$ to $+120^\circ\text{C}$). It transfers thermal energy from process chillers to cooling loads with ultra-low viscosity and high thermal conductivity.

2. How does Potassium Formate compare to Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol at $-30^\circ\text{C}$?

At $-30^\circ\text{C}$, Propylene Glycol becomes extremely viscous (~$80-120\text{ mm}^2/\text{s}$), leading to laminar flow and massive pump energy loss. Potassium Formate retains an ultra-low kinematic viscosity (~$8\text{ mm}^2/\text{s}$), enabling turbulent fluid flow, superior heat transfer coefficients, and up to $60\%$ reduction in pumping electrical power.

3. Is Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid corrosive to industrial piping?

No. Raw formate salts can be aggressive if uninhibited, but Geocon Group’s Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid is pre-formulated with specialized organic corrosion inhibitors that buffer fluid pH ($8.0 - 9.5$) and passivate carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass alloys against pitting and galvanic attack.

4. Can an existing Glycol chiller system be converted to Potassium Formate?

Yes. Converting a chiller system from glycol to Potassium Formate requires flushing out old glycol residue, verifying gasket compatibility (EPDM/PTFE recommended), and adjusting flow settings. Due to the lower viscosity, pumps will operate more efficiently at higher flow rates with lower head pressure.

5. Is Potassium Formate safe for food and beverage processing facilities?

Yes. Potassium Formate is non-toxic, non-flammable, and readily biodegradable. It is widely used in food processing halls, cold storage plants, and beverage chillers as a safer alternative to ammonia and ethylene glycol.

6. What is the freezing point and crystallization temperature of this fluid?

Standard Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid formulations have a freezing point below $-50^\circ\text{C}$ ($-58^\circ\text{F}$). Custom concentrations can be adjusted depending on whether the process requires $-20^\circ\text{C}$, $-35^\circ\text{C}$, or $-50^\circ\text{C}$ protection.

7. How does Potassium Formate impact heat exchanger sizing?

Because of its high thermal conductivity ($0.54\text{ W/m}\cdot\text{K}$) and low viscosity, heat transfer coefficients ($h$) are up to 3x higher than glycol. This allows process engineers to reduce heat exchanger surface area (plate or shell-and-tube size) by 25–40% in new equipment designs.

8. How long does the corrosion inhibitor package last in continuous operation?

In closed-loop industrial chiller circuits, the organic inhibitor package provides long-term protection for 5 to 10 years with periodic annual pH and reserve alkalinity fluid testing.

Geocon Group — Eco-Friendly Heat Transfer & Secondary Refrigerant Division
Geocon Group manufactures and supplies high-performance Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluids, Potassium Formate 75% liquid, Calcium Formate, and specialty sub-zero secondary coolants across India and global markets. We provide hydraulic pumping power calculations, glycol conversion audits, and evaluation fluid sample dispatch from our corporate hub in Navi Mumbai and R&D facility in Bhandup.

SECTOR MATRIX OVERVIEW

Potassium Formate Secondary Fluid Applications at a Glance

Discover how Potassium Formate Heat Transfer Fluid slashes pumping energy, accelerates process cooling, and protects equipment across key industries.

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Food Freezing

Food Freezing & Cold Chain

Non-toxic secondary fluid operating at -40°C in spiral freezers and cold storage facilities with minimal pump power.

Non-Toxic -50°C Limit

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Pharma

Pharma Chemical Reactors

Rapid heat dissipation in sub-zero chemical synthesis and crystallization reactors operating down to -50°C.

High Conductivity Rapid Heat Flux

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HVAC Chillers

Ice Rinks & Process Chillers

Reducing chiller compressor work and power consumption by 50% compared to traditional propylene glycol brines.

-60% Pumping Power Eco-Friendly

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