Secondary Refrigerant Selection Guide
From -100C ultra-low temperature fluorinated fluid to +160C high temperature heat transfer oil, 17 products cover the full temperature range. Systematic selection by temperature, material, and process requirements to avoid performance and safety issues from wrong coolant choices.
6 Common Selection FAQs17 Products Available5-Step Decision Process
Secondary Refrigerant Selection Guide
From -100C ultra-low temperature fluorinated fluid to +160C high temperature heat transfer oil, 17 products cover the full temperature range. Systematic selection by temperature, material, and process requirements to avoid performance and safety issues from wrong coolant choices.
Why Secondary Refrigerant Selection Matters
As a secondary refrigerant (also known as heat transfer fluid or brine), coolant selection directly determines the efficiency, safety, and service life of your indirect refrigeration system. Choosing the wrong coolant can lead to a series of problems including excessive viscosity causing insufficient flow, low-temperature solidification and ice blockage, high-temperature decomposition and corrosion, and material incompatibility. Glacier Coolant provides systematic selection guidance based on a product matrix of 17 models covering the full temperature range from -100C to +160C.
Temperature is the first dimension of coolant selection. Confirm the minimum and maximum operating temperatures of your system. The freezing point should be 10-15C below the minimum operating temperature to ensure adequate safety margin. For high-temperature segments, pay attention to the decomposition temperature and flash point of the coolant.
| Temperature Range | Recommended Products | Product Type | Key Advantages | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below -100C | LM-14A/B/C | Fluorinated fluid | Extremely low viscosity, replaces 3M fluids | Cryogenic processes, semiconductor cooling |
| -85C to -60C | LM-11F / LM-11D | Water-free coolant | Ultra-low temp water-free, low viscosity | Ultra-low temp reactors, chemical cooling |
| -50C to -20C | LM-8 / LM-9D | Water-based / high-temp | Good low-temp performance, non-flammable | Heat source towers, low-temp cold storage |
| -20C to +150C | LM-4 / LM-4D / LM-4D-YE | Water-based coolant | General-purpose, anti-corrosion, cost-effective | Cold storage, HVAC, industrial refrigeration |
| -15C to +160C | LM-15A/B/C | Heat transfer oil | Wide range, freeze protection & heat transfer | Dual cold-hot condition systems |
| -70C to +30C | LM-XL series | Phase change cold storage | Multiple phase change temperatures | Cold storage, cold chain transport |
| 5C to 60C | LM-XR series | Phase change heat storage | Multiple phase change temperatures | Thermos cups, building energy saving |
Key DecisionFactors
Operating Temperature Range
Confirm the minimum and maximum operating temperatures of your system. The freezing point should be 10-15C below the minimum operating temperature for adequate safety margin. For high-temperature segments, monitor decomposition temperature and flash point.
System Material Compatibility
Carbon steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy have significantly different corrosion resistance to different coolants. Mixed-material systems require broadly compatible products like LM-4D-YE. LM-8 accelerates copper corrosion above 120C - stainless steel is recommended.
Water-Free Requirements
Water-sensitive chemical processes require water-free coolants (LM-10A, LM-11 series, LM-14 series). Note: 100% water-free cannot be guaranteed. Systems that strictly prohibit water must use nitrogen blanketing and dry nitrogen leak testing.
Electrical Conductivity
Power electronic equipment and ultrasonic devices require low-conductivity coolants. LM-4D is nitrite-free and copper-friendly. LM-4D-YE achieves ultra-low conductivity (less than 800 uS/cm) for mixed-metal systems.
Chemical Compatibility
When special chemicals are present in the system, check reactivity individually. Strongly oxidizing environments like concentrated nitric acid have no suitable product. Products containing hydroxyl groups do not react with phosphorus oxychloride. HCl ingress destroys the inhibitor system.
Cost & Procurement Lead Time
LM-14 series and LM-10A are higher priced with potentially longer procurement cycles. When technical requirements are met, prioritize cost-effective general-purpose products like LM-4. Evaluate whether alternative options exist for high-priced products.
MaterialCompatibility Guide
Different materials have significantly different corrosion resistance to coolants. Always confirm system material compatibility with the coolant during selection.
| Material | Recommended Products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | LM-4, LM-8 | General compatibility, watch for high-temp corrosion acceleration |
| Stainless Steel | LM-4, LM-8, LM-11 series, LM-14 series | Best compatibility, recommended for high-temp and ultra-low-temp |
| Copper/Copper Alloy | LM-4D, LM-4D-YE | LM-4 has mild copper corrosion at high temps, prefer LM-4D |
| Aluminum Alloy | LM-4D-YE | Test corrosion rate to confirm compatibility |
| Mixed Materials | LM-4D-YE | Ultra-low conductivity, compatible with multiple metals |
When replacing an existing system, never rely solely on temperature matching for direct replacement. Viscosity differences affect flow rate (generally 7.5% viscosity increase corresponds to 7.5% resistance impact), and thermal conductivity differences affect heat exchange capacity. Always perform physical property parameter comparison calculations before making a decision. When replacing LM-8 with LM-11D, pipes may need to be enlarged from DN32 to DN40/DN50, flow rate needs to double, and heat exchange area needs to increase by 1.5 times.
SelectionFAQ
Real selection consultations and answers from the technical support front line.
Solution: Recommend LM-14 series (below -100°C), LM-11 series (-60 to -80°C), LM-8 (-50°C). Select based on system materials and water requirements
Related Products: LM-14A/B/C, LM-11D/F, LM-8
Solution: Recommend LM-15 series (-15 to +160°C) or LM-4 (-20 to 150°C). Use closed-system design at high temperatures to prevent oxidation
Related Products: LM-15A/B/C, LM-4, LM-9D
Solution: Check reactivity of coolant components with each chemical. No suitable product for strong oxidizing environments like concentrated nitric acid. Hydroxyl-containing products do not react with phosphorus oxychloride
Related Products: LM-11D, LM-15C, etc.
Solution: Recommend LM-10A, LM-11 series, LM-14 series and LM-15 series, but note that 100% water-free cannot be guaranteed
Related Products: LM-10A, LM-11D/F, LM-14A/B, LM-15C
Solution: Recommend LM-4 series as replacement. Confirm system materials and operating temperature first, assess direct replacement feasibility. Large systems require gradual replacement with monitoring
Related Products: LM-4, LM-4A, LM-4D
Solution: Recommend LM-4D or LM-4D-YE with low-conductivity properties. Match based on specific conductivity requirements
Related Products: LM-4D, LM-4D-YE
SelectionReal Cases
Selection decision records from real customer scenarios.
SelectionDecision Process
Define Temperature Requirements
Determine the minimum and maximum operating temperatures of the system, reserving a 10-15C safety margin. Distinguish between continuous operating temperature and short-term peak temperature.
Check System Materials
List all materials that contact the coolant (carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc.) and confirm whether mixed materials are present.
Confirm Special Requirements
Is water-free/alcohol-free required? Is low conductivity needed? Are there special chemicals in the system? Are there export compliance requirements?
Compare Product Parameters
Compare key physical properties such as viscosity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity among candidate products to evaluate heat exchange and pump delivery capacity.
Assess Cost & Feasibility
Comprehensively consider product price, procurement lead time, system modification costs (if pump or pipe replacement is needed), and long-term operating costs.
Related Topics
System Corrosion Deep Diagnosis
Root cause analysis for coolant blackening, copper corrosion, aluminum perforation
Cooling Performance Troubleshooting
Systematic troubleshooting for temperature not reaching setpoint
LM-4 Series Coolant
Technical details of the general-purpose corrosion-resistant coolant
LM-8 Series Coolant
-50C low-temperature non-flammable coolant
Post time: Aug-26-2026