[Greenbuilding] Solar Water Heater Veggie Oil

[Chris Green]

Keith Winston wrote:
> (Veggie oil as heat transfer fluid)
>   
>
>  What happens as it ages, especially in the 
> presence of hot/cold cycles and, like it or not, some oxygen (hint: the 
> fatty ACID components of most oils can be problematic) -- you can't take 
> for granted the "won't corrode the plumbing" piece.
Right-o. I'd completely forgotten about all those acids that make up 
fats...However, I do know that deep fat fryer oil can last a long time 
at 350F. The heat and presence of oxygen is part of the reason the oils 
break down. In an oxygen-free environment, the oils might last longer.

Industries that use machines with hydraulic parts around the ocean or 
other waterways now use a vegetable-oil based hydraulic fluid, and this 
type of fluid can get very hot, so that is a consideration.
> But it could make for a fun experiment. Keep us posted!
>   
I wasn't thinking of experimenting with this at this time...sorry.  I 
just put up the idea to see what people might think of this approach and 
to find out if it has been tried.

I do appreciate the responses, so

Thanks,

Chris Green.