Flash point and safety evaluation of binary mixture of diphenyl ether + biphenyl: A commonly utilized heat transfer fluid

Abstract

The binary mixture of diphenyl ether and biphenyl finds wide applications in various industries. Notably, it is widely utilized in renewable energy systems such as concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities. This study addresses the lack of research on the flash point (FP) behavior of this blend, crucial due to high operating temperatures in related processes, especially when used as a heat transfer fluid. This study fills the research gap by analyzing the entire composition range, using experimental measurements, and a unique mathematical method based on SLE data; unlike the conventional method that relies on VLE data. The FP prediction results demonstrated satisfactory outcomes when compared to the experimental data. The findings of this study can be employed to mitigate the fire and explosion risks associated with processes using the binary mixture of diphenyl ether + biphenyl.