Heat Transfer Fluid vs. Lubricating Oil

摘要

When you have a need for process heating that requires heat transfer fluid at medium-high temperature - between the temperatures of 400 and 600°F (200 and 315℃) - different products may be used. One is a fluid designed to work specifically as a heat transfer fluid, which includes mineral-oil-based fluids or synthetic oils such as polyalphaolefin (PAO). Mineral-oil based fluids often are referred to as "hot oils" or "heat transfer oil." Another is lubricating oil, which can be rated at those temperatures as well. These products can share physical characteristics as well as basic chemistries. Both are oils with good lubricating qualities, and they may have close specifications for flashpoint, specific gravity, viscosity and other fluid characteristics. And lubricating oils sometimes are used in heat transfer fluid systems for other applications.