T&T: Antifreeze

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

I inadvertently unleashed a torrent of outrage at my use of antifreeze for
boat winterization. It was intimated that I was both environmentally
irresponsible and negligent of the health of small creatures in the vicinity
of my boat.

The most common antifreeze formulations contain ethylene glycol, which is
indeed poisonous. Itbs especially hazardous to animals and small children,
who
are attracted by the bright color and the sweet smell. If ingested, antifreeze
can result in heart failure, kidney damage and brain damage. If absorbed
through the skin, it can damage internal organs. If inhaled, it can cause
dizziness.

Antifreeze made with propylene glycol, sold under the "Sierra" brand name, is
being marketed as a "safer" alternative to ordinary antifreeze. Thanks to my
very "green" wife, I've been using propylene glycol antifreeze in my boats and
cars for years. Though it is by no means safe to drink, it is significantly
less toxic than ordinary ethylene glycol antifreeze -- which may be a
important
difference to pet owners and parents of small children. PG also has an
unpleasant taste which discourages further sampling by thirsty animals and
toddlers.

When mixed with water (50/50 ratio), ordinary ethylene glycol antifreeze
provides freezing protection to -34 degrees F. and boilover protection to 263
degrees F.. By comparison, propylene glycol provides freezing protection down
to
-27 degrees F. in a 50/50 mixture and boilover protection to 257 degrees F..
Though it might be argued that PG provides a few degrees less protection than
EG, the difference can be easily offset by using a slightly higher
concentration
of PG in the coolant mix.
In terms of thermal efficiency (heat transfer), both types of antifreezes
perform about the same (though EG has a marginal edge). Corrosion protection
is
about the same as long as the coolant is properly formulated with inhibitors.

Regardless of the type of antifreeze you use, it should be disposed of
properly. In many areas, it is okay to flush either type of used coolant down
the
toilet (sanitary sewer) as long as the amount does not exceed a few gallons.
Municipal sewage systems can handle the stuff. I verified this with the NYS
Dept.
of Environmental Conservation. But neither type should be poured down a floor
drain or into a storm sewer.

Both types of antifreeze are biodegradable but take some time to break down.
Dumping used antifreeze into a storm sewer, ditch, creek or on the ground can
contaminate ground water and kill plants and fish. Whatbs more, antifreeze
used in cars picks up lead from solder in copper/brass radiators. Lead is a
toxic
heavy metal that can also cause pollution problems of its own.

Some areas prohibit ANY dumping of used coolant (sanitary or storm sewers).
They also may not accept used antifreeze in a sealed container for landfill
collection because eventually the container will leak its contents into the
ground causing possible ground water contamination.

So how do you get rid of the stuff? You can take it to a local collection
center that accepts used antifreeze for disposal or recycling, you can pay to
have it disposed of as a hazardous waste (yeah, right) -- or you can take your
used antifreeze to a garage or service facility that has a coolant recycling
machine. The latter is the best choice because it eliminates the disposal
problem
altogether. Garages get money for recycled antifreeze.

Coolant recycling machines work their magic by a variety of means. Some use
filtration while others use a distillation process to remove the harmful
contaminants from the old antifreeze. Corrosion inhibiting chemicals are then
added
to restore the coolantbs corrosion protection. The auto makers have all
approved coolant recycling as an effective means of eliminating coolant
disposal
problems, and each publishes a list of machines that meet their
specifications.
Recycled coolant must meet minimum standards of purity before it can be
reused.

In summary, either type of antifreeze can be used as an engine coolant since
it remains in a closed system. Diluted propylene glycol antifreeze should be
used to flush the raw water system. Walmart sells it diluted to a 50% ratio.
The RV pink antifreeze is OK too. If your pumpout station empties into a
municipal sewage treatment line, and if your municipality permits, either type
of
antifreeze is OK for the toilet and holding tank. Otherwise use only the RV
water
treatment type. I have no idea what happens to the electrode packs in
LectraSans although I have one on my boat. Normally every spring I flush about
10
gallons of water through it before operating it for the first time. I have had
no
problems so far.

Collect your used antifreeze in buckets. I use 5 gallon containers under the
exhaust and engine waste water outlets. Then I put it in plastic one gallon
milk containers and take it to a large local garage. They accept it willingly
along with my used oil. Of course I have had my cars serviced there for
years.

Larry Z


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