Antifreeze - Ethylene Glycol vs. Propylene Glycol

Comparing ethylene glycol and propylene glycol antifreeze properties.

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Characteristics of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol as antifreeze:

Property	Ethylene Glycol	Propylene Glycol	Comments
Freeze point depression	more effective	less effective	More antifreeze is needed of propylene glycol to achieve the same freeze point
Heat transfer efficiency/capability	better	less	Ethylene glycol has superior heat transfer efficiency due to lower viscosity - but more fluid must be circulated to transfer the same amount of energy since Propylene glycol has higher specific heat.
Viscosity	lower	higher	Propylene glycol increases major head loss in the systems. Pumps head increased.
Flammability	low	low
Chemical oxygen demand	low	higher
Biodegrading	degrades in 10 - 30 days	needs more than 20 - 30 days to degrade
Carcinogenic	no	no	A carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer
Toxic	High level of acute when taken orally, targets the kidneys	Lower level of acute	Ethylene glycol should never be used in any drinking water or food processing system
Skin irritant	low	low	Propylene glycol is used in small amounts in cosmetics

Antifreeze - Ethylene Glycol Volume vs. Temperature Rating - Freeze protecting of cooling systems - temperature rating vs. required amount of antifreeze.
Ethylene - Density and Specific Weight vs. Temperature and Pressure - Online calculator, figures and tables showing density and specific weight of ethylene, C₂H₄, at varying temperature and pressure - Imperial and SI Units.
Ethylene Gas - Specific Heat vs. Temperature - Specific heat of Ethylene Gas - C₂H₄ - temperatures ranging 175 - 900 K.
Ethylene Glycol Heat-Transfer Fluid Properties - Properties like freezing point, viscosity, specific gravity and specific heat of ethylene glycol based heat-transfer fluids, or brines.
Freeze Protection of Water based Heat Transfer Fluids - Comparing antifreezes used in water based heat transfer fluids or brines.
Propylene Glycol based Heat-Transfer Fluids - Freezing points of propylene glycol based heat-transfer fluids suitable for the food processing industry.
Secondary Coolants - Properties - Comparing properties like specific gravity, freezing points and viscosity for secondary coolants like calcium chloride, sodium chloride, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.