Ethylene Glycol: Antifreeze
Gabriel Baldassarra
WHAT IS IT?
Ethylene Glycol is a clear,sweet, slightly viscous liquid that boils at 198°C (388.4°F). Its most common use is as an automotive antifreeze. A mixed solution of ethylene glycol and water boils at 129 °C (264.2 °F) and freezes at −37 °C (−34.6 °F), serving as an excellent coolant in automotive radiators, which also makes it very poisonous.
CHEMICAL NAME AND FORMULA
Molecular: Covalent
Shape:
In the two oxygens perspectives, Oxygen is creating four bonds. Two with hydrogen and two with carbon, creating a tetrahedral shape
Polarity
Ethylene Glycol is a polar substance. Polar substances will dissolve in other polar substances, and that non-polar substances will dissolve in other non-polar substances. Polar substances will not dissolve non-polar substances. Glycol when combined with water offers a wider operating temperature range than either fluid used by itself. Ethylene glycol is the most prevalent glycol used in coolant based on functionality, cost and availability. Depending on the application and climate, an engine coolant may be based on water only if an extended operating temperature range is not required.
Common uses of Ethylene Glycol
Antifreeze helps the freezing point when you mix it with water. But it also helps with the boiling point as well. So antifreeze can also be called anti-boil. It is used in car engines because it works so well as a heat transfer fluid. When it used in the cars engine people call it engine coolant because that is exactly what it does to the engine.
Ethylene Glycol and its Physical and Chemical properties:
Solubility - Soluble because it is covalent and covalent can dissolve in H2O.
Colour - Clear and colourless
Boiling Point - 198 °C high melting point because it is a very big molecule
Melting point- -12.9 °C low melting point because Ethylene glycol is used to prevent over heating
Molecular weight - 62.07 g/mol
Slightly viscous
Has a sweet scent
Chemical
Ethylene Glycol is combustible because the compound contains Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon
Ethylene Glycol reacts with water to dilute its self
Ethylene Glycol is neutral on the Ph Scale
BENEFITS/ PROS AND CONS
Ethylene Glycol is a toxic liquid that helps cool down auto motives. THe benefits are that it prevents over heating of machines units and cars. As much as it prevents over heating, it can also help with freezing. Ethylene Glycol can prevent cars from smoking and as well as catching fire which is a tremendous benefit.
Improperly disposed antifreeze can flow into waterways where it can kill fish and other animals. It can seep through the soil and into the groundwater.
Two ounces of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a dog, one teaspoon can be lethal to a cat, and two tablespoons can be hazardous to children.
According to the Annual Reports of the American Association of Poison Control Centers covering 1991 to 1994, about 3,400 poisonings related to ethylene glycol occur each year with about 20% of these incidents reported among children under six
Safety and handling Ethylene Glycol properly
Distillation units heat the antifreeze and separate the water from the ethylene glycol. Through condensation, contaminants end up in a sludge that has to be disposed of as hazardous waste, and the solution is made into new antifreeze. Most distillation occurs off-site and generally produces higher quality antifreeze than filtration.
Capture all antifreeze drained from radiators and the engine block and store in a sturdy, leak proof container with a secure lid. Do not contaminate antifreeze with engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, gear oil, solvents, or fuels.