ANTIFREEZE MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Antifreeze manufacturing plants are process plants in which ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, purified water, corrosion inhibitors and colourants are stored, dosed, blended according to defined recipes and transferred to the filling line. Antifreeze is used in vehicle and process equipment such as the cooling systems of internal combustion engines, radiators, chillers, heating and cooling systems and generators. Its job is to lower the freezing point of water, raise its boiling point and protect the system against corrosion.

What Is Antifreeze and How Does It Work?

Ethylene glycol, the main component of antifreeze, was first synthesised in 1856 by the French chemist Charles Adolphe Wurtz. Once its effect on the freezing and boiling points of water was understood, glycol came into widespread use in vehicle cooling systems. Modern antifreeze is not a single compound but a mixture of glycol, water and additives.

Unlike most substances, water expands as it freezes. The pressure created by this expansion can crack the radiator, the cylinder block and other engine parts. To prevent this, antifreeze is added to the cooling water. Although methanol and ethanol were also used in the past, today’s antifreezes are based on ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and contain corrosion inhibitors.

Glycol is colourless. Products are coloured so that users can easily spot any leaks and tell the different types of antifreeze apart.

Types of Antifreeze

The type of antifreeze is chosen according to the climate where it will be used, the technical characteristics of the equipment and, in most cases, the recommendation of the vehicle or equipment manufacturer. There are four main groups by inhibitor technology:

• Inorganic antifreeze (IAT): contains inorganic inhibitors such as silicates and phosphates.
• Organic antifreeze (OAT): provides a long service life with organic acid inhibitors.
• Hybrid organic antifreeze (HOAT): combines organic and inorganic inhibitors.
• Nitrited organic antifreeze (NOAT): organic acid inhibitors with added nitrite, preferred especially for heavy-duty engines.

Turnkey Antifreeze Manufacturing Plants by Makfen

Makfen designs antifreeze manufacturing plants around the customer’s product range, recipes and capacity requirements. The project starts with defining the process requirements and basic engineering, and continues with detail engineering, manufacturing and testing at the Gebze and Dilovası facilities, and on-site installation, piping, instrumentation, insulation, electrical work, performance tests and commissioning. Environmental and occupational safety issues such as glycol vapour, spills and wastewater are also taken into account in the design.

Plant Scope

• Raw material storage tanks for glycol (MEG/MPG), purified water and additives
• Connection to the purified (demineralised) water system
• Dosing of raw materials, inhibitors and colourants by precision weighing or flow meters
• Stainless steel blending tanks with agitators suited to the product
• Filtration, finished product storage tanks and transfer to the filling line
• Recipe management and batch records via PLC and operator panel
• CIP applications for cleaning tanks and lines between product changes
• Certified materials, operating and maintenance documentation

Contact Makfen for information and a quotation for your antifreeze manufacturing plant project.