Refprop 9 0 Portable May 2026
The primary document for REFPROP 9.0 is the official NIST Standard Reference Database 23 citation. There is no separate "paper" specifically for a portable version, as the software itself is a database and suite of subroutines often cited as a software release. Primary Citation for REFPROP 9.0
To cite this version in a publication, use the following format:
Lemmon, E.W., Huber, M.L., McLinden, M.O. (2010). NIST Standard Reference Database 23: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties (REFPROP), Version 9.0. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Reference Data Program, Gaithersburg. Documentation & Manuals
Version 9.0 User Guide: Detailed technical documentation on models and installation can be found in the NIST REFPROP 9.0 PDF Manual.
Version 9.1 Update: An updated release (v9.1) was published in 2013 with enhanced algorithms and additional fluids. Recent Reference Paper
While not specific to version 9.0, NIST published a comprehensive review in 2022 that describes the underlying models and features of the REFPROP database:
Title: The NIST REFPROP Database for Highly Accurate Properties of Industrially Important Fluids. "Portable" Usage Note Eric Lemmon - Google Scholar
Drafting a review for NIST REFPROP 9.0 requires acknowledging its status as a legacy yet highly accurate standard for fluid properties. While technically a Windows-installed program, its portable utility comes from its ability to be integrated into other platforms like Excel, Python, and MATLAB via its core DLL files.
Below is a draft review focusing on its performance, versatility, and "portable" application. Review: NIST REFPROP 9.0 (Legacy Standard) Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Overview
REFPROP 9.0 remains a foundational tool for engineers and researchers needing high-accuracy thermophysical properties for pure fluids and mixtures. Although superseded by Version 10, Version 9.0 is still widely used in legacy industrial systems and academic research due to its rigorous mathematical models. Key Features
Scientific Precision: Uses the most accurate equations of state available (Helmholtz energy-based), providing properties that closely match experimental data. refprop 9 0 portable
Extensive Database: Supports over 120 pure fluids and 200+ predefined mixtures, including refrigerants (HFCs, CFCs), hydrocarbons, and natural gases.
"Portable" Integration: While it typically installs to a hard drive, its true portability lies in the REFPROP.DLL. This allows you to "carry" the engine into third-party software like Excel, MATLAB, or custom Python scripts. Pros REFPROP | NIST
While an official "portable" edition of NIST REFPROP 9.0 does not exist, users can create a portable version by copying the installation folder and setting up alternative file paths. Alternatively, NIST offers mini-REFPROP, a free, lightweight version suitable for basic thermodynamic calculations. For more information, visit NIST trc.nist.gov/refprop/MINIREF/MINIREF.HTM. National Institute of Standards and Technology (.gov) Linking REFPROP with Other Applications 04-Feb-2019 —
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
Industry-Leading Accuracy: Uses high-accuracy Helmholtz energy equations of state for pure fluids and mixtures, often providing results accurate to within 1% for experimental data.
Broad Fluid Database: Supports a wide array of industrially important fluids, including refrigerants, natural gas components, and common industrial chemicals.
Versatile Integration: Can be linked with Microsoft Excel, MATLAB, Python, and C++, making it adaptable for engineering spreadsheets and complex simulations.
Portability (Relative): While it requires a Windows environment (XP through Windows 8 for version 9.0), its small file footprint allows for relatively easy deployment in local engineering environments. Performance and Reliability
Engineering professionals frequently cite its reliability over alternatives like CoolProp for specific, high-precision tasks.
“This REFPROP is accurate within 1%... spreadsheet output 4230 PSIG [while gauge read 4200]. This REFPROP is amazing.” Reddit · r/AskEngineers · 4 months ago Known Issues in Version 9.0 The primary document for REFPROP 9
If you are specifically using the 9.0 "portable" or legacy version, be aware of several documented calculation errors that NIST has addressed in later patches or Version 10: Incorrect
: Second derivative calculations at constant density may return incorrect values.
Phase Errors: Isobar calculations for pure fluids below triple point pressure may incorrectly report liquid phase properties instead of vapor.
Reference States: Issues with reference states for specific refrigerants like R1234yf and R1234ze(E). Recommendation
For mission-critical engineering, upgrading to REFPROP 10.0 is strongly advised. It includes a new shared library for Mac, faster calculation speeds, and a simplified "single command" function to replace complex legacy routines. 0 and 10.0 or need help integrating it into Excel?
REFPROP | NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology
NIST REFPROP 9.0 is widely considered the industry "gold standard" for calculating the thermophysical properties of fluids. While officially distributed as a Windows-based installation, many engineers use it in a "portable" fashion by calling its core Refprop.dll from external environments. Key Performance Highlights
Unrivaled Accuracy: It uses the most advanced equations of state (typically Helmholtz energy forms), providing accuracy levels often within 1% or better of experimental data.
Fluid Versatility: Version 9.0 supports over 120 pure fluids and 200 predefined mixtures, including refrigerants, hydrocarbons, and natural gases.
Seamless Integration: The "portable" strength lies in its DLL, which allows you to run calculations directly within Excel, MATLAB, Python, and LabVIEW without needing the full GUI open. Pros and Cons REFPROP | NIST Trojan Horse Injectors: The keygen or loader injects
To create a portable version of REFPROP 9.0 , you can essentially "uncouple" it from the Windows installer by copying its core directory. Since REFPROP is a collection of Fortran-based
calculation engines and data files, it can run from a USB drive or a shared folder without a formal installation on the host machine. Steps to Create a Portable REFPROP Feature Copy the Core Directory : Locate your existing REFPROP installation (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP ). Copy the entire folder to your portable device. Verify Vital Subfolders : Ensure the
folders are present. These contain the thermophysical property data required for calculations. Include the Executable : The main file to launch the interface is REFPROP.exe Set Up the Excel Add-in (Optional) : If you want to use REFPROP portably within Excel, copy REFPRP91.XLA
to your drive. When using it on a new computer, you must add its location to Excel's Trusted Locations Key Benefits of a Portable Setup
REFPROP | NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology
The Security Risks You Cannot Ignore
Security analysts from Kaspersky and Malwarebytes have repeatedly flagged engineering software cracks as high-risk vectors. Here is what hides in many "Refprop 9.0 portable" downloads:
- Trojan Horse Injectors: The keygen or loader injects code into
explorer.exeto bypass license checks. These loaders often include clipboard hijackers (e.g., replacing cryptocurrency addresses). - Infostealers: Because engineers use REFPROP on work laptops that also contain VPN keys, CAD drawings, and proprietary spreadsheets, cracked portable versions have been found to contain variants of RedLine Stealer—exfiltrating saved passwords from Chrome and Outlook.
- Ransomware Gateways: Low-effort cracks serve as droppers. One user on an HVAC forum reported that after downloading "REFPROP_9_portable.zip," his entire simulation folder (containing 6 months of work) was encrypted with .lockbit extensions.
Bottom line: The cost of a legitimate license is trivial compared to the cost of data recovery from a ransomware attack.
4. NIST Webbook (Free Online)
For quick, single-point property calculations (density, enthalpy, entropy) for pure fluids, the NIST Chemistry WebBook (webbook.nist.gov) is completely free and requires no download. You cannot plot cycles or do mixtures, but for checking a saturation temperature, it is perfect.
2. REFPROP 30-Day Trial (Official)
NIST offers a fully functional 30-day trial of REFPROP 9.1 (still available via legacy download). No crack needed. You simply download the installer, run it, and it works for 30 days. For a one-off project, this is more than enough.
Legitimate Alternatives to "Portable" REFPROP
You do not need to risk a cracked portable version. Here are legal, low-cost, or free ways to access REFPROP capabilities:
Integration & API Usage
- DLL Interface: Standard interface for calling thermodynamic routines from external programs; functions typically allow property evaluation given T and P or T and density, etc.
- Sample workflows: Initialize fluid, set units, call property routines, handle errors (e.g., out-of-range conditions), and free resources.
- Languages: Commonly interfaced from Fortran, C/C++, Python (via wrappers), MATLAB, and engineering tools.
What About "Portable" Versions of REFPROP 10.0?
As of early 2025, REFPROP 10.0 is the latest official version. Scammers have begun advertising "Refprop 10.0 portable." These are even more dangerous because version 10 introduced validated properties for new low-GWP refrigerants (R-1136a, R-474A). Crackers cannot properly emulate the new GERG-2008 mixture model, so these "portable 10.0" builds actually crash on any mixture with more than two components.
The Technical Limitations of a Pirated Portable Version
Even if you find a download that scans "clean" by your antivirus, you will likely face severe technical handicaps: