working fluid

noun

: a fluid working substance

Examples of working fluid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There, the concentrated beams heat a transfer fluid that in turn heats a working fluid. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 17 July 2024 This may not completely eliminate the need for some sort of working fluid to transfer heat over longer distances. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 May 2024 Water is used as a working fluid in this closed system (water is not lost). Ian Palmer, Forbes, 19 May 2022 The annual operating cost is low, and the working fluid is water rather than battery chemicals. Andrew Blakers, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2022 But the biggest leap here is using carbon dioxide rather than steam as the working fluid. David Roberts, Vox, 1 June 2018 Sunlight is used to heat up a working fluid at the mirrors' focus. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 19 Oct. 2018 In some plants, sunlight is directed toward a large central thermal tower that heats up quickly and boils a working fluid inside. Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, 28 Oct. 2017 It is then stored at 566 degrees Celsius (1,050 degrees Fahrenheit) and used to transfer heat through a heat exchanger to a working fluid that spins a conventional turbine, generating electricity. Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, 13 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of working fluid was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near working fluid

Cite this Entry

“Working fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/working%20fluid. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!