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Heat transfer fluids have been used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers for over 50 years. Nylon 6, nylon 6,6, various polyesters and other textiles require high temperature processes for production. Each step of the process, whether it be polymer manufacturing, spinning, heat-treating, annealing, or drawing can use heat transfer fluids. Both liquid phase heat transfer fluids and vapor phase heat transfer fluids can be used, depending on the type of operation being performed. The correct physical properties, heat transfer efficiency, and high thermal stability are the key characteristics needed from heat transfer fluids for these demanding applications. Therminol heat transfer fluids are the most widely used around the world in this industry.
When vapor phase heat transfer fluid is required, there are now two products to choose from. Therminol VP-1 is the most commonly used vapor phase heat transfer fluid. Therminol VP-1 is a eutectic mixture of diphenyl oxide (DPO) and biphenyl with an atmospheric boiling point of 258°C (495°F). It can also be used as a pressurized liquid up to 400°C (750°F). Therminol VP-3, Solutia's new vapor phase heat transfer fluid, was specially developed to allow vapor phase heat transfer at lower temperatures. Therminol VP-3, a mixture of approximately 90% phenylcyclohexane and 10% bicyclohexyl, has a normal boiling temperature of 243ºC (469ºF), 14ºC (26ºF) below the normal boiling point of Therminol VP-1. Laboratory thermal stability suggests a maximum continuous operating temperature of 330ºC (625ºF) in the liquid or vapor phase. Therminol 66 heat transfer fluid is the most widely used high temperature, low-pressure liquid phase fluid in the world. Therminol 66 can provide high temperature operation up to 345° C (650° F) while maintaining vapor pressures below atmospheric. Because of their excellent thermal stability and high efficiency, all of these heat transfer fluids can be routinely specified for use in synthetic fiber production.
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