Heat transfer fluids
Heat transfer is the exchange of thermal energy between physical objects. It works on the principle of the first law of thermodynamics which states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another but cannot be created or destroyed. Heat transfer continues until the objects involved in the process reach a stage of thermal equilibrium (ie they area all the same temperature).
Very broadly, the mechanisms of heat transfer are:
Heat transfer fluids are used to transfer heat from a higher temperature object a lower temperature object. They are used in industries such as oil and gas, concentrating solar power (CSP), pharmaceuticals, chemical and bio-diesel.
The heat transfer fluid market can be categorised on the bases of product types, including; mineral, silicone and aromatics, polyalkylene glycols (homopolymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or co-polymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide) and glycol fluids.
Mineral oil has the major market share followed by silicone and aromatics. Mineral oil is expected to maintain its dominance where as silicone and aromatic is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the coming years.
Europe has the largest market for heat transfer fluid materials, followed by Asia-Pacific and North America, accounting for more than one-third of the global heat transfer fluid market. Spain and Germany are the major markets in Europe.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness higher growth compared to other regions. Europe is expected to remain the market leader owing to growing industrial expansion. Emerging markets in China and India are expected to increase the market share of Asia-Pacific in the future.
Increasing industrial expansion globally is driving the global heat transfer fluid market, as well as increased use of heat transfer fluids in the concentrated solar power and other end-user industries.
Increasing investment in the chemical industry may further increase demand, but, rising raw material prices may hamper growth.
The heat transfer fluid market is dominated by established companies such as; British Petroleum plc, The Dow Chemical Company, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation., Eastman Chemical Company, BASF SA, Dynalene, Inc., Kost USA, Inc., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Honeywell International Inc, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Chevron Corporation and Huntsman Corporation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.