hmmm, maybe i over simplified by stating "like in your refrigerator", you are correct that the system is not set up exactly like a refrigeration unit. the methylene chloride flashes at 40 degrees making the coolant\water mix start removing heat at a earlier quicker pace but requiring back pressure to keep it from just gassing off immediately. this is to help overcome the MUCH higher boiling point of the ethylene glycol and the now modified boiling point of the water (due to the addition of the coolant). the liquids will still allow heat to leave via the heat transfer to metal, however the evaporation of the heat from the coolant water helps drop the temp faster before the liquid is returned to the block, but the properties of the methylene chloride also prevent it from causing the boiling point of the other liquids to drop, as boiling water is less efficient in heat transfer. BTW the "sweet odor" of coolant is not ethylene glycol so much as anyone who has handled it in its pure form can tell you, it is the brain killing Chlorinated solvent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylene_chloride as a side note on the leaches, they are used in "medical grade" to help restore blood flow to severed and reattached limb among other things. i know this from a couple friends who lost fingers in sword fighting.... ;P
Another thing I can't figure out is why stores sale radiator flush stuff but it's illegal to dump coolant anywhere... and no place I can find will take it even if I was able to catch all that coolant... what do you guys do when you flush you radiator? or should I just take it to a shop and have them do it (I'd reather not to keep my costs down). Thanks.
This threads is very interesting and informative and has triggered a couple of thoughts ... I've done way too much partying since I took that thermodynamics class back in the day AND don't take up sword fighting
always awesome to see someone not polluting! If shops and local parts stores aren't working, call up your local recycling service and ask them. Besides, they are just going to purify it and reuse it so it behooves someone to collect it all. This stuff is very very bad for the environment. Great question to have on the thread. http://www.ecarcenter.org/az/az-antifreeze.htm -> for AZ also, contact your DEQ and they'll tell you where to go as well.
In our township they tell us to just flush it down the toilet, the sewage treatment plant will filter it.
LOL ever since leaving the hazmat field i have also been unable to find someplace to rid myself of coolant. technically they can get you for dumping it in the toile\sink wast line but it is WAY better than dumping it in the street drain which usually doesnt even go through treatment plants.... and yes the treatment plant can seperate it but for some reason it makes them madder than dealing with the waste they do want?????? as for sword fighting, i aint stopping! doing a steel combat arena this weekend in fact hehe
