The wrong heat transfer fluid was delivered to the heat wells - instructions on how to change the fluid

The liquid sold as a mixture of ethanol and isopropanol has been supplied under the trade name Eurolpro. Professional users and property owners have not had correct information about the dangers of the chemical and its safe use. In June 2015, Tukes forbade the company from placing the chemical in question on the market and obliged the company to remove the batches of chemicals it sold from the supply chain. The preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that the wrong liquid has been delivered to several installation shops in different parts of Finland.

Methanol can be an environmental and health risk
Methanol can cause a health risk if it ends up in groundwater used as household water. A health risk may be possible if the entire amount of liquid from the thermal well leaks into the environment in the vicinity of the domestic water well and in the groundwater area. Even a small long-term leak can spoil groundwater.

Instructions for the property owner
Property owner, if you suspect that a methanol-based heat transfer fluid has been used instead of an ethanol-based heat transfer fluid:
- Do not examine the heat transfer fluid yourself.
- Contact the supplier of the thermal well system. The origin and composition of the heat transfer fluid should be ascertained primarily from the supplier.
- In unclear situations, a sample can be taken from the heat transfer fluid to verify the composition of the fluid. The person taking the sample must be a professional in the field.
- A possible fluid exchange should be ordered from a professional, such as a company that supplies thermal wells, which must deliver the fluid as hazardous waste to a licensed hazardous waste reception point.
- Also in connection with the maintenance of geothermal systems, it must be ensured that the heat transfer fluid is ethanol-based.