The Problem: Rising Drilling Costs and Performance Uncertainty
Geothermal drillers and installation contractors are navigating more pressure than ever. As demand for ground source heat pump systems accelerates, so do expectations for lower costs, faster project timelines, and dependable long performance. Yet traditional antifreeze fluids often hold projects back, requiring higher freeze protection temperatures that lead to challenges such as:
- Deeper borefields due to antifreeze limitations
- Higher pumping energy from viscous fluids
- Thermal performance drop-offs in cold operating conditions
- Safety and regulatory concerns
Lower Viscosity = Lower Pumping Energy
Compared to propylene glycol, COREFROST® delivers significantly lower viscosity at the same freeze‑protection levels, and that means less pumping power.
Measured performance gains:
- ~6% lower pumping energy at 15°F vs. PG at 20°F
- 11–15% lower pumping energy when matched at the same temperature
Lower pumping energy correlates with lower head loss sensitivity, allowing loop designs to remain effective with shorter or fewer boreholes.
Why switch to COREFROST®: Up to 27% Shallower Borefields
Inhibited glycerin chemistry allows 15°F freeze protection while maintaining strong hydraulic and thermal performance. Independent testing and validated computer modeling show that COREFROST®’s inhibited glycerin/potassium formate chemistry provides freeze protection down to 15°F while maintaining strong hydraulic and thermal performance. This can reduce the required borehole depth by as much as 27% compared to propylene glycol.
What this means:
- Fewer feet drilled per ton
- Faster installation time
- Reduced tooling wear
- Lower grout consumption
- Lower total installed cost
Maintains Turbulent Flow in Cold Conditions
When temperatures drop or flow rates aren’t ideal, propylene glycol can lose efficiency fast, shifting into laminar flow and choking heat transfer inside the loop. That means weaker performance and more risk for the system. COREFROST® is more likely to maintain turbulent flow, improving heat transfer inside the pipe.
Result:
- Better heat exchange per foot of bore
- More predictable thermal performance
- Improved reliability during extreme weather events
This helps drillers prevent callbacks resulting from low discharge‑water temperatures.
A Safer, Cleaner Alternative to Methanol
Although methanol is not evaluated within this case study, it is often cited in the geothermal industry for its favorable heat transfer performance. While methanol is known for strong heat‑transfer performance, it comes with major drawbacks:
- It’s flammable
- It’s toxic
- It requires additional regulatory steps and handling protocols
COREFROST® offers comparable performance without these risks, making it ideal for environmentally sensitive sites.
Conclusion
Independent engineering evaluation confirms that potassium‑formate‑inhibited glycerin antifreeze, the chemistry behind COREFROST®, delivers superior geothermal loop field performance across the board:
- Reduce borehole length requirements
- Lower pumping energy
- Improve cold‑weather reliability
- Maintain turbulent flow
- Decrease installation time
- Reduce materials cost
- Avoid methanol‑related safety concerns
For drilling contractors and installers, these advantages directly translate into higher profitability, less jobsite complexity, and greater customer satisfaction.
Reach out to a representative today to learn more about COREFROST® Antifreeze!
