The Sun has been studied intensively as an energy source and has undergone innovations to harness its power. While majority of the world’s energy source comes from natural gas, its soaring price prompts others to look for alternatives to generate electricity and provide water heating. So far, solar energy has already powered not just commercial establishments in progressive cities but even rural homes in far-flung villages.
A solar energy system generates electricity by trapping the sun’s power through special panels. The panels in turn are connected to a complicated system of tubes, coils, and fluids that converts the energy to make it usable for daily living. A system’s type, size, and complexity are dependent on the following:
- · The temperature and amount of water required from the system
- · Changes in ambient temperature and solar radiation
- · Response of the system’s fluids to temperature fluctuations
To ensure that solar heating systems will run smoothly despite temperature changes, propylene glycol should be applied as a system fluid. This compound is a viscous and clear organic alcohol that absorbs moisture easily and mixes well with water, acetone, and chloroform. Because of its high boiling point and low freezing point, propylene glycol is effective as antifreeze. Its low toxicity makes it safe to use for both domestic and industrial settings. Propylene glycol is biodegradable as well, making it environmentally sustainable.
Properties
- · Chemical formula: C3H8O2
- · Molar mass: 76.10 g. mol
- · Boiling point: 187.6°C
- · Melting point: -59°C
- · Density: 1.04 g/cm3 (20°C)
- · Viscosity: 91.41 cp (10.45°C)
- · Surface tension: 40.1 g/s2 (25°C)
- · Refractive index: 1.4324 (20°C)
- · Partition coefficient: -0.92 pKow
- · Heat of vaporization: 66.27 kJ/mol
- · Heat of combustion: -1828 kJ/mol
