ASTM Task Group investigates 1,3-Propanediol.October 17, 2007 -
In response to changing emissions restrictions and consumer expectations, ASTM International Committee D15 on Engine Coolants is developing proposed standard, WK16003, Specification for Engine Coolant Grade 1,3-propanediol. PDO offers better oxidation resistance than ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. It can be used to develop fluids for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty automotive engines, as well as power generation and heat exchange systems.
ASTM Engine Coolants Task Group to Investigate 1,3-Propanediol |
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Press release date: October 16, 2007
In response to changing emissions restrictions and consumer expectations, ASTM International Committee D15 on Engine Coolants is now developing a proposed new standard, WK16003, Specification for Engine Coolant Grade 1,3-propanediol (PDO). This task group is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D15.07 on Specifications. Edward Eaton, D15 member and chief engineer, Amalgatech, says that as the automotive industry adopts more restrictive emissions regulations, engineers are making changes to power systems that reject increasing heat loads into the cooling systems. These changes have resulted in many reports of premature coolant degradation and suggest a need for more robust coolants, particularly in heavy-duty engines. In addition, Eaton notes, consumers have indicated they want lower maintenance and lower lifetime cost technologies for cooling systems. Since research supports the proposition that PDO, an isomer of propylene glycol, offered dramatically better oxidation resistance than either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, Committee D15 decided to begin to develop WK16003. In addition, corrosion inhibition technologies now exist that deplete so slowly that they offer, for the first time, the possibility of coolant formulations (especially with PDO) that will allow the original equipment manufacturers to seal the cooling system, allowing it to be maintenance free. "The task group is tackling the early part of this effort to develop the ultimate coolant, a product that, once introduced into a new or existing cooling system, will probably never have to be replaced or serviced in any way except volume correction," says Eaton. Eaton says that PDO can be used to develop fluids for light, medium and heavy duty automotive engines. In addition, PDO could be used for power generation and heat exchange systems. Engine coolant manufacturers, along with their customers, mechanical engineering contractors and suppliers of power generation and emergency power generation systems would be the main users of WK16003.
For further technical information, contact Edward Eaton, chief engineer, Amalgatech, Phoenix, Ariz. (phone: 602/252-0280; edeaton@amalgatech.com). Committee D15 will meet Oct. 17-18 in Dearborn, Mich. For membership or meeting information, contact Joe Koury, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9804; jkoury@astm.org).
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