The most popular coolant for forest machines is propylene glycol, a much more environmentally friendly alternative to its predecessor, ethylene glycol, which is still used in many private cars. The forestry company Sveaskog is testing a new coolant in their forest machines in cooperation with Heat Transfer Media specialist Avantherm. The cooling oil is based on Neste Renewable Isoalkane, further processed by Haltermann Carless Solutions (HCS), and the final product is patented by Avantherm.
Benefits of the fossil-free product include instant engine warmup after starting and a long coolant change interval. The coolant only needs to be changed every five years, if ever. If the winter tests prove successful, Sveaskog will start using the cooling oil in all their new forest machines.
Neste Renewable Isoalkane is produced using Neste’s NEXBTL technology, a hydrotreatment process that can convert natural oils, such as vegetable oil and a range of industrial waste and residues, into high-purity isoparaffinic hydrocarbon oils with a low sulfur and aromatic content. The non-corrosive, odorless oil, which is compatible with most other organic oils and packaging materials, can be used to replace fossil products in many applications, either further distilled or used as-is, such as in paints, coatings, and lubricants. The long-lasting alternative to traditional mineral oils is biodegradable in accordance with the OECD 301 test guideline.
