SolarUS Collaborates with DuPont Tate & Lyle to Develop a New Improved Solar Thermal High-Performance Heat Transfer Fluid
WILMINGTON, Del., October 16, 2014 – DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products has collaborated with SolarUS to launch a new biobased heat transfer fluid that will utilize Susterra® 1,3-propanediol (PDO), a high-performance glycol alternative. The new fluid, So-Blu, will offer solar thermal system owners freeze, corrosion and extreme heat protection resulting in increased system and equipment efficiency and lifespan.
Current solar thermal fluids are prone to a host of issues such as degradation that results in the formation of viscous deposits in the solar equipment, leading to a decrease in efficiency. However, So-Blu will offer higher thermal stability and protection against corrosion deposits, giving systems a longer lifespan and higher efficiency throughout the life of the system.
“This successful collaboration of our teams working together developed a fluid that can meet the demands of the newer higher performance systems in the market,” said Steve Elkin, CEO and founder of SolarUS. “These higher performance fluids are a critical component of solar thermal systems as higher temperatures and more demands are being placed on solar thermal production in applications like manufacturing, heating and air conditioning.”
“DuPont Tate & Lyle is pleased to offer SolarUS a renewably sourced glycol for use in So-Blu,” said Lirys Crawford, market development manager for DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. “The qualities of Susterra®1,3-PDO glycol paired with the expertise of SolarUS have enabled the development of an innovative new fluid that will increase the efficiency and lifespan of solar thermal systems.”
Susterra® 1,3-PDO glycol is certified 100 percent biobased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, making So-Blu an attractive fluid for solar thermal owners seeking renewable content in their products. A peer reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of Susterra® demonstrates that the production of biobased propanediol offers significant environmental benefits including up to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and 40 percent less non-renewable energy used in production vs. petroleum-based glycols.
SolarUS is a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of solar collectors and solar thermal products. SolarUS commercial and residential solar thermal systems feature innovative technological advances to efficiently and sustainably provide hot water, heating and dehumidification solutions. SolarUS systems are designed to save system owners money through energy conservation, while reducing the environmental footprint of businesses, institutions and homes. For more information on So-Blu, please visit www.solarusmfg.com. For more information on SolarUS solar thermal systems, please visit www.solarusmfg.com.
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products is a joint venture between DuPont, a global science company, and Tate & Lyle, a world-leading renewable food and industrial ingredients company. DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products provides natural and renewably sourced ingredients that enhance product performance. For more information on the company’s products, visit www.duponttateandlyle.com.
Susterra® and the circle logo are registered trademarks of DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC.
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