Soil Contamination Prevention: Why Heat Transfer Fluids Matter

Over recent decades, soil contamination has been highlighted by environmental experts as a critical and growing challenge. This concern is supported by the data: the degradation of land and soils currently impacts around 3.2 billion people, encompassing over 40% of the global population. This sobering statistic highlights that the time to put an end to soil contamination is now. But how can the Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) industry across the USA help make this objective a reality?

Here at CORECHEM, we believe that putting an end to unnecessary soil contamination is a journey that must begin with understanding – not only on how soil contamination occurs, but on how simple procedural and operational changes can yield a significant, positive impact. This applies not only to the most carbon-intensive industries, but also those forward-thinking sectors challenged with changing the narrative on global pollution.

A stark reminder of this cross-industry need can be seen in 2019 study, which highlights the risk of soil pollution via two mechanisms: the possible release of anti-freeze additives from leaking pipes and the possible leakage of contaminants from an aquifer to another through defective borehole filling. That same study notes that while incidents of such leakages are rare, one notable case demonstrated that leakage contaminated wells within a 200m distance.

The observations in this study are significant, and demonstrate that such incidents underscore the urgent need for sustainable practices and chemical solutions, even in sectors like geothermal energy that are perceived as clean. But what is soil pollution, and why does your choice of Heat Transfer Fluid matter?

Soil Contamination Explained

The Soil Science Society of America defines a soil contaminant as any substance in the soil that exceeds naturally-occurring levels and poses human health risks. This most commonly occurs when hazardous substances (in some cases including chemicals from toxic, non-bio-based heat transfer fluids) are introduced into the natural soil environment.

According to an IPBES assessment report, a worrying 75% of Earth’s land area is already degraded, a number that could climb to 95% by 2050 if current trends continue. The current trend is largely driven by contaminants entering soil through spills, leaks, or improper disposal, leading to degradation and toxicity that can affect entire ecosystems.

Soil contamination is far from a distant problem, and continues to present a major environmental threat throughout the United States and beyond.

GlycoChill+® P200HD: A USDA Certified Innovation

Soil contamination has far-reaching consequences in the USA, compromising land integrity, public health and biodiversity. A number of catastrophic incidents have resulted in millions of gallons of chemicals contaminating American soil, underpinning the critical need for more sustainable practices across virtually all areas of industry. Below are just a few examples:

• The Greenpoint incident ranks among the most severe pollution events in the U.S., with an estimated 17 to 30 million gallons of chemicals impacting the soil.
• In another event, the Murphy Refinery experienced a spill due to storage tank failure amid flooding, affecting approximately 1,700 residences with nearly 4 million gallons of oil released.
• Furthermore, the Prudhoe Bay spill in 2006 resulted in over 267,000 gallons of oil dispersed over 1,900 acres in Alaska’s North Slope, marking it as the region’s largest spill to date, culminating in a substantial civil penalty for the responsible company.

Preventing Soil Contamination with Heat Transfer Fluids

With the growing deployment of GHPs as a clean source of heating and cooling, your choice of Heat Transfer Fluid has a broad-reaching impact, not only on your levels of efficiency, but also on your surrounding communities and natural environment. By transitioning from toxic chemicals to non-toxic biobased alternatives, you can ensure the impact you pose is minimal.

Biobased heat transfer fluids are a game-changer in preventing soil and water contamination. Unlike their non-biodegradable counterparts, these fluids are designed to break down harmlessly in the environment. CORECHEM’s GlycoChill+ P-Series and ExoEndosol lines, made from renewable soy and corn, exemplify this advancement.

They embody the shift towards sustainable industry practices, ensuring that even in the event of a leak, the environmental repercussions are vastly reduced, aligning with stringent environmental regulations.

USDA Certified Biobased Product: The GlycoChill+ Range

The GlycoChill+ range from CORECHEM, exemplified by GlycoChill+200HD, offers a viable solution for hydronic system installers aiming to eliminate soil contamination.

The USDA Biobased Certified status of GlycoChill+® underscores its environmental responsibility, aligning with the USDA BioPreferred® program that advocates for renewable natural resource alternatives. With a 100% biobased renewable carbon content meeting the ASTM D6866 standard and a life cycle analysis indicating up to 61% reduction in greenhouse gases, GlycoChill+® P-Series is instrumental in helping GHP system owners achieve their sustainability goals while mitigating soil contamination risks.Developed in our own laboratories, GlycoChill+200HD balances premium performance, corrosion protection, and affordability. Find out more about this unique Heat Transfer Fluid here.

Sustainable and Cost Effective: Exo Endosol

Exo Endosol+™ 101, a premium ethanol-based geothermal fluid, offers a robust solution for companies looking to mitigate soil contamination.

With its superior heat transfer capabilities and lower viscosity in cold temperatures, it’s an ideal alternative for closed-loop systems. Being alcohol-based, Exo Endosol+™ 101, comprising denatured Ethanol with corrosion inhibitors, provides a non-toxic choice compared to Methanol-based fluids.Its benefits include reduced maintenance, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced cold-temperature performance. By choosing Exo Endosol+™ 101, contractors and homeowners can effectively reduce environmental risks while maintaining operational efficiency. Find out more about this solution here.

Put an End to Soil Contamination with CORECHEM

For decision-makers seeking sustainable solutions, CORECHEM is your go-to partner. Our range of USDA biobased certified Heat Transfer Fluids are tailored to enhance your GHP system while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Connect with our experts today for a consultation that will help you find the perfect, eco-friendly match for your next geothermal installation.