Making heat transfer fluids circular

 In an era of tightening regulations, rising energy prices and ambitious sustainability targets, manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less — less energy, less waste and less environmental impact. One often-overlooked opportunity lies in heat transfer fluids (HTFs). By adopting a circular approach to thermal fluid management, companies can cut costs, extend system life, reduce downtime and lower their carbon footprint. Here, Clive Jones, managing director of Global Heat Transfer, explains how.   Circularity is no longer just a buzzword — it is a response to growing regulatory, environmental and economic pressure. The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting…

The power of ten degrees

 In an era of tightening regulations, rising energy prices and ambitious sustainability targets, manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less — less energy, less waste and less environmental impact. One often overlooked opportunity lies in heat transfer fluids (HTFs). By adopting a circular approach to thermal fluid management, companies can cut costs, extend system life, reduce downtime and lower their carbon footprint. Here, Clive Jones, managing director at Global Heat Transfer, explains how. In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, engineers and plant leaders know that reliability and safety are paramount — yet many still hesitate to make operational changes…

Don’t just crank up the heat

 A common response to problems with a heat transfer system is to crank up the heat. However, the Arrhenius equation suggests that increasing temperature by just ten degrees can halve the expected lifespan of a fluid. Taking this step therefore increases costs, energy use and waste — key things to avoid for more sustainable operations. Here Ian Silvester, lead project engineer at thermal fluid expert Global Heat Transfer, explains how manufacturers can maintain good thermal fluid system efficiency, without turning up the heat.  Monitoring the condition of HTFs used for indirect heat transfer applications, such as food or pharmaceutical processing,…

More sustainable facility management

 Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but an essential strategy for facilities managers looking to reduce operational costs and improve their environmental impact. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), industrial heat accounts for two-thirds of industrial energy demand and nearly one-fifth of global energy consumption, making it a key area for efficiency improvement. By optimising heat transfer systems, facilities managers can reduce their energy usage while driving sustainability. Here Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, outlines practical steps to achieve this. Thermal fluid systems face multiple operational challenges beyond just energy efficiency.…

Creating a resilient heat transfer process

 Thermal fluid systems are often perceived as low maintenance because of their stability and reliability, operating effectively a closed-loop system with minimal intervention. However, with rising operational costs, changing environmental regulations and increased competition, uptime and process efficiency are more critical factors than ever. That’s why manufacturers should take proactive steps to maintain their heat transfer fluids and HTF system, says Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid experts Global Heat Transfer. Thermal fluid systems typically run well for many years with limited intervention. However, all thermal fluids degrade over time, and so a reactive maintenance strategy means that…

An alternative view to heat transfer maintenance

 Just like a doctor can use investigative equipment, such as X-rays, to identify a broken limb, maintenance engineers have a range of tools at their disposal to manage thermal oil. Here Tim Powell, remote condition monitoring expert at thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, explores the benefit of one of these tools — thermal imaging. It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the cause of a patient’s pain by simply looking at them. Similarly, once thermal fluid enters a heat transfer system it is no longer visible, so monitoring its condition can be difficult. Thermal fluids are essential…

Choosing a heat transfer fluid

 Selecting the right heat transfer fluid is crucial for achieving efficient heat transfer and maintaining system performance. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the suitability of a heat transfer liquid depends on various factors, including application type, operating temperature range, thermal stability, thermal conductivity and heat capacity. To meet diverse industry needs, a wide range of high-performance thermal fluids is available on the market. Choosing the best heat transfer fluid can be challenging, so here we provide advice on the different types of heat transfer fluids and the key considerations when making your selection. Applications of heat transfer fluids Heat…

Mineral or synthetic thermal fluid?

 How thermal fluid choice impacts performance and maintenance In any process that requires indirect heat transfer, it’s essential to select the appropriate thermal fluid for the application — whether it’s for heating processes in power generation or cooling products in food processing. But with so many heat transfer fluids on the market, reviewing options can be a time-consuming task. Here Clive Jones, managing director of thermal fluid expert Global Heat Transfer, explains the properties of mineral and synthetic thermal fluids, when to use each and how to maintain the fluid accordingly. Taking the time to select the best thermal fluid…

Why winter maintenance is snow joke

 How to maximise heat transfer system uptime in winter Preparing for winter involves more than turning the heating on and digging out your winter coat. For example, blocking drafts, covering outside taps and bleeding radiators can all make your home more efficient while reducing energy costs. Similarly, when working with heat transfer systems, manufacturers can follow some simple steps to optimise their facilities for colder weather. Here Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid management specialist Global Heat Transfer shares his advice for maximising heat transfer system productivity during the winter. Just like the cold weather can affect our…

Maintaining thermal fluid quality

 You will have heard the saying, oil and water never mix — and this is true when working with thermal fluids. While many manufacturers focus on maintaining thermal fluid once it enters the system, how they maintain the oil beforehand is also vital to operations. Here Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid expert, Global Heat Transfer, explains the impact of water ingress and how businesses can avoid it.     Businesses commonly store thermal fluid containers on site to maintain uptime by ensuring they can access oil immediately when they need to top up or refill the system.…