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Refprop 91 Install

System Requirements:

Installation Steps:

  1. Download the installation file:
  2. Extract the installation files:
    • Extract the contents of the zip file to a directory on your computer, such as C:\REFPROP.
  3. Run the installation program:
    • Navigate to the extracted directory (C:\REFPROP in this example) and find the file setup.exe.
    • Double-click on setup.exe to run the installation program.
  4. Follow the installation prompts:
    • Follow the prompts to complete the installation. You may need to:
      • Accept the license agreement.
      • Choose the installation directory.
      • Select the components to install (e.g., REFPROP, REFPROP DLL).
      • Choose whether to install the tutorial and examples.
  5. Complete the installation:
    • Once the installation is complete, you should see a confirmation message.

Post-Installation Steps:

  1. Register REFPROP (optional):
    • If you want to use REFPROP without the demo mode limitations, you need to register the software.
    • You can register REFPROP by purchasing a license and following the registration instructions provided by NIST.
  2. Configure REFPROP:
    • You may want to configure REFPROP to suit your needs. This can be done through the "Edit" menu in the REFPROP interface.

Troubleshooting:

Introduction

In the world of thermodynamics, chemical engineering, and HVAC system design, few tools are as revered as REFPROP (Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties). Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this software provides accurate thermophysical properties for hundreds of pure fluids and mixtures.

Among the various versions released over the years, REFPROP 9.1 holds a special place. It represents a stable, mature build that balances modern fluid databases with broad operating system compatibility. If you have searched for the term "refprop 91 install" , you likely possess a legacy license or a specific need for this version—perhaps to align with legacy models, textbooks, or corporate standards.

This article is your complete guide. We will cover everything from system prerequisites and obtaining the installer to a step-by-step installation walkthrough, common pitfalls, licensing issues, post-install verification, and even tips for integrating REFPROP 9.1 with other software like Excel, EES, and Python.

Final Recommendations

REFPROP 9.1 is a reliable workhorse, but it is aging. If you encounter persistent issues, consider:

  1. Installing to a short path – Avoid spaces or special characters. Use C:\REFPROP instead of the default to sidestep permission issues.
  2. Disabling antivirus temporarily – Some antivirus programs flag the REFPROP installer’s license mechanism as suspicious (false positive).
  3. Upgrading – If you rely on REFPROP for commercial work, consider upgrading to version 10 or 11, which have native 64-bit installers and better Windows 11 support.

With careful attention to compatibility mode and environment variables, REFPROP 9.1 will continue to serve as an accurate and indispensable tool for thermodynamic calculations for years to come.

This guide applies to REFPROP Version 9.1 (circa 2013). For the latest updates, please visit the official NIST REFPROP website.

How to Install REFPROP 9.1: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide REFPROP (Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties), developed by NIST, is the gold standard for scientists and engineers needing accurate properties of industrially important fluids and mixtures. While newer versions exist, REFPROP 9.1 remains widely used in legacy academic environments and specific industrial workflows.

If you need to get REFPROP 9.1 up and running on your machine, follow this comprehensive installation and setup guide. 1. System Requirements & Prerequisites Before beginning, ensure your system meets the following:

OS: Windows XP through Windows 11 (REFPROP is natively a Windows application).

Permissions: Administrative privileges are required to write to the C:\Program Files (x86) directory.

Media: You must have the original installation files (usually an .exe installer or a folder containing SETUP.EXE). 2. Step-by-Step Installation Process Step 1: Run the Installer refprop 91 install

Locate your REFPROP 9.1 installation file (often named REFPROP91.EXE or found within a disk image). Right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator. The InstallShield Wizard will launch. Click Next. Step 2: License Agreement and User Info

Read and accept the NIST license agreement. Enter your User Name and Organization when prompted. Step 3: Choose Destination Location

By default, the software installs to:C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP

Pro Tip: If you plan on using REFPROP frequently with Python, MATLAB, or Excel, some users prefer installing it to a shorter path like C:\REFPROP to avoid issues with spaces in file paths during API calls. Step 4: Complete the Installation

Follow the remaining prompts and click Install. Once finished, click Finish. You should now see a REFPROP icon on your desktop. 3. Post-Installation Configuration

Installing the software is only the first half. To make it useful, you usually need to link it to other tools. Adding REFPROP to System Environment Variables

To call REFPROP from any command line or external program, add it to your System Path:

Search for "Edit the system environment variables" in your Windows Start menu. Click Environment Variables.

Under "System variables," find Path, select it, and click Edit.

Click New and paste your installation path (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP). Click OK on all windows. 4. Integrating with Third-Party Software Excel Integration Open Excel and go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, select Excel Add-ins and click Go. Click Browse and navigate to your REFPROP folder. Select REFPROP.xla (for older Excel) or REFPROP.xlam.

Ensure "Refprop" is checked in the list. You can now use functions like =PropSI(...). MATLAB Integration

Copy the refpropm.m file from the scripts folder in your REFPROP directory to your MATLAB work folder. You will also need to ensure the REFPROP.DLL is accessible in the system path. Python (CoolProp Wrapper)

Most Python users utilize the wrapper provided by CoolProp to access REFPROP 9.1: pip install CoreProp Use code with caution.

In your script, you will point the wrapper to your C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP directory to load the high-accuracy NIST fluid files. 5. Troubleshooting Common Issues System Requirements:

"DLL Not Found" Error: This usually means the system cannot find REFPROP.DLL. Ensure the installation folder is correctly added to your Windows System Path (see Section 3).

Fluid File Errors: If you get an error saying a fluid file (like NITROGEN.FLD) is missing, ensure you are running the application from the directory where the /fluids/ folder is located.

Excel Macros Blocked: If the Excel functions don't work, go to Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings and ensure "Enable all macros" (or "Disable with notification") is selected.

Installing REFPROP 9.1 is a straightforward process, but its utility depends on correct pathing and integration with your calculation tools. By following the steps above, you’ll have a robust thermodynamic engine ready for complex fluid analysis.

The installation of NIST REFPROP 9.1 is a straightforward process for the standalone application, though linking it with tools like Excel requires additional manual configuration. 1. System Requirements

Before beginning, ensure your system meets these basic needs:

Operating System: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, or similar (both 32-bit and 64-bit are supported).

Disk Space: Approximately 10–20 MB of available hard disk space. 2. Core Installation Steps

The primary installation typically occurs from a CD-ROM or an executable installer file.

Launch Installer: If using a CD, insert it and run the setup file (e.g., D:\NIST2391.EXE). If you have a downloaded version, double-click the .exe file (often named nist2391.exe).

Follow the Wizard: The setup wizard will guide you through the license agreement and destination folder selection. The default installation path is usually C:\Program Files\REFPROP or C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP.

Verification: Once finished, you can launch the graphical user interface (GUI) to calculate thermodynamic properties and view tables or plots. 3. Linking with Excel (Windows)

To use REFPROP functions directly in Excel spreadsheets, follow these steps to set up the Add-In:

Prepare the Add-In: Locate REFPROP.xls in your installation folder and save it as an Excel Add-In (.xla or .xlam) in the same directory. Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit), Windows

Add Trusted Location: In Excel, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations. Click Add new location and browse to your REFPROP folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\REFPROP).

Enable the Add-In: Go to File > Options > Add-ins. In the Manage drop-down at the bottom, select Excel Add-ins and click Go. Click Browse, navigate to your installation folder, select the .xla or .xlam file, and ensure it is checked in the list. Configure Environment Variables (Optional but Recommended):

Create a new user environment variable named RPPrefix and set its value to your installation path (e.g., C:\Program Files\REFPROP).

Add your installation path to the existing Path variable to ensure Excel can always locate the required DLLs (REFPROP.DLL or REFPRP64.DLL). 4. Common Troubleshooting Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - NIST Pages

Step 6 – Additional Components

The installer will ask if you wish to install:

Check all boxes. Even if you don’t think you need them now, you will likely appreciate them later.

Common Installation Errors & Fixes

| Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | “Setup cannot find REFPROP.lic” | License file is corrupted or not on accessible media. | Copy the .lic file to your Desktop, then browse to it during install. | | “Component MSCOMCTL.OCX not registered” | Missing common controls library. | Run Command Prompt as Admin and type: regsvr32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSCOMCTL.OCX | | “Error 1935 during installation” | .NET Framework or VC++ runtime corruption. | Run Windows Update, then reinstall VC++ 2010 Redistributable. | | “Run-time error ‘53’: File not found” | Incorrect RPPROG environment variable. | Manually set the environment variable as shown in Step 4. |

Step 4 – Specify Destination Folder

The default installation path is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP

On 64-bit Windows, REFPROP 9.1 will still install into the Program Files (x86) folder because it is a 32-bit application. Do not change this path unless absolutely necessary – many legacy scripts hardcode this location.

Integrating REFPROP 9.1 with Other Software

The true power of REFPROP 9.1 lies in its use as a calculation engine for other programs. The installer automatically places the necessary files here:

Key Feature for Installing REFPROP 9.1:

"Seamless integration with Excel via the REFPROP Add-In"

In REFPROP 9.1, one of the most useful installation features is the automatic Excel Add-In setup. After a successful installation, the installer places REFPROP.xla (or .xlam) in the installation folder and can register it with Excel. This allows you to:

Why REFPROP 9.1? A Look at Its Unique Value

Before diving into the installation mechanics, it is worth understanding why someone would specifically seek out version 9.1 rather than newer versions (10.0, 9.2, or the current 11.0). The reasons include:

  1. Legacy Project Compatibility – Many engineering firms built internal applications around REFPROP 9.1's dynamic-link libraries (DLLs). Upgrading would require costly recertification.
  2. Operating System Stability – REFPROP 9.1 runs flawlessly on Windows 7, 8, and 10 (32-bit and 64-bit). Some users report it even runs on Windows XP virtual machines.
  3. License Persistence – Unlike newer versions that may use more restrictive licensing servers, version 9.1 often uses a simple serial number or standalone license file.
  4. Fluid Database Maturity – It includes fluids like R-1234yf and R-1234ze, which were still emerging in earlier versions, yet it pre-dates some database changes that broke backward compatibility.

If you need refprop 91 install, you are likely either an academic revisiting legacy coursework, a researcher replicating published results, or an industry veteran maintaining older simulation platforms.