20
G e o t h e r m a l H e a t i n g a n d Co o l i n g
Tranquility
®
22 Digital (TZ
)
Series - 60Hz
R e v. : N o v e m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 2 2
Ground-Loop Heat Pump Applications
ANTIFREEZE SELECTION - GENERAL
In areas where minimum entering loop temperatures
drop below 40°F [4.4°C] or where piping will be routed
through areas subject to freezing, antifreeze is needed.
Alcohols and glycols are commonly used as antifreeze
solutions. Your local representative should be consulted for
the antifreeze best suited to your area. Freeze protection
should be maintained to 15°F [8.5°C] below the lowest
expected entering loop temperature.
Initially calculate the total volume of fluid in the piping
system using Table 3. Then use the percentage by volume
shown in Table 4 for the amount of antifreeze. Antifreeze
concentration should be checked from a well mixed sample
using a hydrometer to measure specific gravity.
Table 3: Fluid Volume
Fluid Volume (gal [liters] per 100’ [30 meters] Pipe)
Pipe
Size
Volume (gal) [liters]
Copper
1”
4.1 [15.3]
1.25”
6.4 [23.8]
2.5”
9.2 [34.3]
Polyethylene
3/4” IPS SDR11
2.8 [10.4]
1” IPS SDR11
4.5 [16.7]
1.25” IPS SDR11
8.0 [29.8]
1.5” IPS SDR11
10.9 [40.7]
2” IPS SDR11
18.0 [67.0]
Fluid Cooler
036/060
7.4 [28]
Flush Cart Tank
10” Dia x 3 ft tall
[25.4 cm x 91.4 cm tall]
10 [37.9]
⚠
WARNING!
⚠
WARNING!
Always dilute alcohols with water (at least 50%
solution) before using. Alcohol fumes are flammable and can
cause serious injury or death if not handled properly.
When handling methanol (or any alcohol), always wear eye
protection and rubber gloves as alcohols are easily absorbed
through the skin.
Table 4: Antifreeze Percentages by Volume
Type
Minimum Temperature
for Low Temperature Protection
10°F
[-12.2°C]
15°F
[-9.4°C]
20°F
[-6.7°C]
25°F
[-3.9°C]
Methanol
21%
17%
13%
8%
Propylene Glycol
29%
24%
18%
12%
Ethanol*
23%
20%
16%
11%
* Must not be denatured with any petroleum based product
Contact your ClimateMaster distributor if you have any
questions as to antifreeze selection.
⚠
WARNING!
⚠
WARNING!
Always use properly marked vehicles (D.O.T.
placards), and clean/suitable/properly identified containers
for handling flammable antifreeze mixtures. Post and advise
those on the job site of chemical use and potential dangers
of handling and storage.
NOTICE: DO NOT use automotive windshield washer fluid
as antifreeze. Washer fluid contains chemicals that will
cause foaming.
⚠
CAUTION!
⚠
CAUTION!
Always obtain MSDS safety sheets for all
chemicals used in ground loop applications including
chemicals used as antifreeze.
ANTIFREEZE CHARGING
It is highly recommended to utilize premixed antifreeze fluid
where possible to alleviate many installation problems and
extra labor.
The following procedure is based upon pure antifreeze and
can be implemented during the Full Flush procedure with
three way valves in the Figure 15c - Valve Position C. If a
premixed mixture of 15°F [-9.4°C] freeze protection is used,
the system can be filled and flushed with the premix directly
to prevent handling pure antifreeze during the installation.
1. Flush loop until all air has been purged from system
and pressurize to check for leaks before adding
any antifreeze.
2. Run discharge line to a drain and hook up antifreeze
drum to suction side of pump (if not adding below water
level through approved container). Drain flush cart
reservoir down to pump suction inlet so reservoir can
accept the volume of antifreeze to be added.
3.
Calculate the amount of antifreeze required by first
calculating the total fluid volume of the loop from Table
3. Then calculate the amount of antifreeze needed using
Table 4 for the appropriate freeze protection level. Many
southern applications require freeze protection because
of exposed piping to ambient conditions.
4.
Isolate unit and prepare to flush only through loop (see
Figure 15a). Start flush cart, and gradually introduce the
required amount of liquid to the flush cart tank (always
introduce alcohols under water or use suction of pump
to draw in directly to prevent fuming) until attaining the
proper antifreeze protection. The rise in flush reservoir
level indicates amount of antifreeze added (some carts
are marked with measurements in gallons or liters). A
ten inch [25.4 cm] diameter cylinder, 3 foot [91.4 cm]
tall holds approximately 8 gallons [30.3 liters] of fluid
plus the hoses (approx. 2 gallons, [7.6 liters], which
equals about 10 gallons [37.9 liters] total. If more than
one tankful is required, the tank should be drained
immediately by opening the waste valve of the flush