DOWFROST HD Heat Transfer Fluid

Example Design Calculations For Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

A number of calculations can be performed to project how DOWFROST* HD heat
transfer fluid will perform in a specific Ground Source Heat Pump system.
Following are two examples. Also following is a comparison of
DOWFROST HD heat transfer fluid and Methanol in Ground
Source Heat Pump service.
HEAT PUMP
HOT WATER TANK

25% SOLUTION
DOWFROST HD FLUID
UNDERGROUND
TEMP. TYPICALLY
40F to 55F

1" to 1-1/2"
POLYETHYLENE
TUBING

600'
HORIZONTAL
LOOP or
200' VERTICLE
LOOP

Typical Ground Source Heat Pump System

Heat Transfer From Earth to DOWFROST HD Fluid

Flowing Through Polyethylene Pipe
Heat Transfer Fluid Assumptions
Fluid Temperature:
Propylene Glycol Concentration:
Viscosity ():
Heat Capacity (Cp):
Thermal Conductivity (k):
Freeze Point:
Density:

30F
25%volume
5.47 cps
0.911 Btu/lbF
0.255 Btu/hr ftF
14F
65.01 lb/ft3

Pipe Assumptions
Polyethylene Pipe
2000 linear feet
Thermal Conductivity (kpe):
Thickness (t):
Inside Diameter (Di):
Radius Ratio Ri :
Ro

1 inch schedule 40
0.225 Btu
hr ft FF
0.133 in.
1.049 in.
0.80

Earth Assumptions
Heavy Wet Prepared Bed
Thermal Conductivity (k):
Temperature:
Effective Thickness of Heat Flow:

1.0 Btu/hr ftF

45F
1.5 inches

Fluid Flow Assumptions

Flow Velocity:
2 ft/sec
Flow Rate:
5.4 gal/min
Reynolds Number:
3073
Heat Transfer Coefficient (hf):
120 Btu/hr ft2 F (water is 321)
Pressure Drop per 100 linear feet (P):
1.38 psi (water is 0.98)
Fouling Factors (ri and ro):
0.001 hr ft2 F/Btu
Temperature in Loop:
5F
Residential Unit:
4 ton capacity (48,000 Btu/hr)(14 hp)(10.5 kw)
Circulating Pumps:
0.4 hp

Continued. . .
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

Continued from Page 1

Overall Heat Transfer (U)
1
U

=
=
U

1
Ri +
hf Ro

ri

1
120 (0.8)
0.010
(5%)

tPE +
KPE

ro

+ 0.001 +
+ 0.001 +

tE
KE

0.133/12
0.225
0.049
(26%)

+
+

0.001

0.001

4380 hr
yr

1.5/12
1
0.125
(67%)

0.186

5.4 Btu/hr ft2 F

Pumping Cost
run time = 50%
Hp = brake horsepower
Q = flow rate (gpm)
P = total pressure drop (2000 ft pipe)
ep = pump efficiency = 70%

Hp =

Qp
1714ep

Hp =

5.4 x 27.6 psi

1714 (0.7)

Cost =

0.124 hp

0.124 hp
0.746 kw
hp

$0.08
kw hr

$32.42/yr

Conclusions:
1. Heat transfer is limited by the soil component with the DOWFROST fluid contributing only 5% resistance under adverse conditions.
2. Pumping cost of fluid is minimal in this situation. There is little incentive to further reduce flow rate.

Heat Transfer in Heat Pump Unit DOWFROST HD Fluid in Tube/F-22 Evaporator

Fluid Assumptions
Fluid Temperature: .......................................................................... 30F
Propylene Glycol Concentration: ................................................... 25%v
Viscosity (): ..............................................................................5.47 cps
Heat Capacity (Cp): ......................................................... 0.911 Btu/lbF
Thermal Conductivity (k): ............................................. 0.255 Btu/hr ftF
Freeze Point: ................................................................................... 14F
Density: .................................................................................. 65.01 lb/ft3
Pipe Assumptions
1" BWG 14 Copper Tube
Wall Thickness:......................................................................... 0.083 in.
Inside Diameter: ......................................................................... 0.83 in.
Ri
0.417
Radius Ratio R :
0.5 = ..................................................... 0.83
Thermal Conductivity (k): = .......................................... 224 Btu/hr ft2 F
Tube Length: .................................................................................... 10 ft

3/4" Copper Tube

............................................................ 0.083 in.
.............................................................. 0.56 in.
0.28
................................................ 0.375 = 0.75

Evaporator Assumptions
Freon 22
25F Evaporation Temp.
2000 Btu/hr ft2 Heat Flux
Mostinski Equation Valid
Fluid Flow Assumptions
1" BWG 14 Copper Tube

3/4" Copper Tube

Flow Rate: ....................................................................... 5.4 gal/min

Flow Velocity: ..................................................................... 3.3 ft/sec
Reynolds Number: .................................................................... 3997
Heat Transfer Coefficient (h): .................................. 213 Btu/hr ft2 F
Pressure Drop (p): ......................................... 4.67 psi/100 linear ft
Friction Factor (f): .................................................................. 0.0421
Fouling Factors (ri and ro): .................................... 0.001 hr ft2 F/Btu

........................................................................ 7 ft/sec
............................................................................ 5791
.......................................................... 465 Btu/hr ft2 F
........................................................... 26.45 psi/100 ft
.........................................................................0.0360

Mostinski Equation
hF22 =

0.00658 (Pc)

.69

.7

P .17
P
[1.8
+ 4
Pc
Pc

() () ()
( ) ( )
Q
A

.17

63.5
0.00658 (722).69 (2000).7 [1.8 722 + 4

.12

63.5
722

1.2

= 179
Overall Heat Transfer (U)

1
U

1
hF22 +

1
0.083/12
1
179 + 0.001 + 224 + 0.001 + 213 (0.83)

ri

tw
Kw

1" BWG 14 Copper Tube

1
ro +
Ri
hf Ro

= 0.0056 + 0.001 + 0.00004 +

(42%) (8%)

1
1
1
U = 179 + 0.001 + 0.00004 + 0.001 + 465 (0.75)
= 0.0056 + 0.001 + 0.001 + 0.0029 = 0.0105
(53%)
(10%) (10%)
(28%)

0.001 + 0.0056
(8%)
(42%)
U = 95

= 0.0132
U

3/4" Copper Tube

76

Pumping Cost Through Evaporator

Hp =
=

Q[p]
1714 ep
5.4 [0.467]
1714 (0.7)

0.746 kw
Cost = 0.002 hp x
hp

where p = psi/10 ft
=
$0.08
x kw hr

Hp =

5.4 (2.645)
=
1714 (0.7)

0.012 hp

0.002 hp
4380 hr
x
= $0.52/yr
yr

Cost =

0.012
0.002

$0.52/yr

$3.12/yr

Conclusion
Since pumping cost is minimal, the tube size should be decreased
to improve the heat transfer of the DOWFROST HD fluid since
it contributes 42% of heat transfer resistance in a 1-inch tube.

By going from 1-inch to 3/4-inch tubing in the

evaporator, heat transfer improves from 76 to
95 Btu/hr ft2 F at a cost of $2.60/yr.

Summary Comparison DOWFROST HD/Methanol

25%v DOWFROST HD

In Ground
Heat Transfer Coefficient
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Pressure Drop/100 ft
Pumping Horsepower/2000 ft
Pumping Cost/yr
Heat Pump (5.4 gpm)
Heat Transfer Coefficient
Overall h
P/100 ft
Pumping Horsepower/10 ft
Pumping Cost/yr

20%v Methanol

2'/sec

1'/sec

2'/sec

1'/sec

120
5.38
1.38
0.124
$32.42

26
4.46
0.43
0.038
$10.10

204
5.49
1.11
0.100
$26.08

86
5.24
0.34
0.030
$7.98

1"

3/4"

1"

3/4"

213
76
4.67
0.002
$0.52

465
95
26.45
0.011
$2.95

381
93
3.59
0.0016
$0.43

695
107
21.46
0.0096
$2.59

For further information, call...

In The United States And Canada: 1-800-447-4369 FAX: 1-989-832-1465
In Europe: +32 3 450 2240 FAX: +32 3 450 2815
In The Pacific: +886-2-2548732 FAX: +886-2-27174115
In Other Global Areas: 1-989-832-1550 FAX: 1-989-832-1465
www.dowtherm.com
NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Seller or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location
to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for
Customers use and for ensuring that Customers workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other governmental
enactments. Seller assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.

Published May 2002

Printed in U.S.A.

*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company

Form No. 180-01322-502 AMS