Refprop 9 0 Portable -
While REFPROP 10 is available, many engineering models, MATLAB scripts, and Excel templates were designed for the REFPROP 9.0 structure. Using a portable version allows for seamless, consistent results without needing to update existing, verified scripts. Key Features and Capabilities
Portable software refers to applications that can run from removable storage devices like USB flash drives without requiring formal installation on the host computer. Portable versions typically:
If you already have Refprop 9.0 installed on one machine, follow these steps to make it portable:
Traditionally, REFPROP is installed via an executable file that creates registry entries, adds files to system directories, and integrates with Excel. A version refers to a setup where the entire REFPROP folder (containing the .dll files, fluid files, and executable) can be placed on a USB drive or a local directory and run immediately without installation. Key Aspects of a Portable Setup: refprop 9 0 portable
REFPROP 9.0 uses a 32-bit DLL by default. If you are linking it to a 64-bit version of Microsoft Excel or Python, you must ensure you use the 64-bit compiled wrapper ( REFPRP64.DLL ) within your portable directory structure to avoid architecture mismatch errors.
REFPROP 9.0 remains a highly respected, "gold standard" tool for thermophysical fluid property calculations, though it has since been superseded by Version 10.0 . Key Strengths
Despite newer versions being available (up to version 10 as of this writing), REFPROP 9.0 continues to see widespread use for several reasons: While REFPROP 10 is available, many engineering models,
I recently spoke with a freelance thermal systems designer, "Marta" (name changed). She admitted to using a "Refprop 9.0 portable" for a year. Everything seemed fine until a client required her to submit a validation report for a propane heat pump. She ran the same calculation (propane saturation pressure at 50°C) on the portable version vs. the official trial. The portable version reported ; the official version reported 1.847 MPa . The difference is 2.5%—outside of ASHRAE standard tolerance. She had to re-simulate 40 hours of work. Now she uses the academic license.
Users must ensure they have a legitimate license for the REFPROP software. Portable use does not waive the requirement for proper licensing.
Users can carry the software, custom fluid mixtures, and fluid definition files on a flash drive to use on any available PC. Technical Architecture of REFPROP Portability Portable versions typically: If you already have Refprop 9
"The compressor is fine. You just need to adjust the expansion valve to drop the suction pressure to 1.8 bar. That will give you the -20°C saturation temp you need."
In 2013, version 9.1 introduced a 64-bit DLL, allowing the software to finally "talk" to modern 64-bit versions of Excel and MATLAB more efficiently. The "Portable" Reality