91 Install - Refprop
Before beginning the installation, ensure the following:
Locate the Setup.exe file. Right-click and select "Run as Administrator." If User Account Control (UAC) prompts you, click "Yes."
This is the most common failure point for new users. REFPROP 9.1 installs in "Demo Mode" by default. In Demo Mode, the software functions but randomizes output values, rendering it useless for actual engineering work.
To activate the full version:
*Note: Some versions used a specific REFPROP.key file that simply needed to be pasted into the installation folder. Overwriting the placeholder key with your purchased key
Installing and enabling features for REFPROP 9.1 usually refers to setting up its integration wrappers (like the Excel Add-in) or ensuring the DLL and fluid files are correctly linked. How to Install the REFPROP 9.1 Excel Add-in
If you are looking to enable the REFPROP features within Excel, follow these steps provided by the NIST REFPROP-wrappers GitHub:
Locate the Add-in File: Find the REFPRP91.XLA file, typically located in your main REFPROP installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP).
Open Excel Settings: Go to the Developer tab and click on Excel Add-ins.
Browse and Select: Click Browse, navigate to your REFPROP folder, select REFPRP91.XLA, and click Open.
Enable: Ensure the box for Refprp91 is checked in the list and click OK.
Verify VBA: To ensure functions work, open the Visual Basic editor (Alt + F11) and verify that Refprop91Code appears under your modules. Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues
Missing DLLs: If the functions return errors, ensure REFPROP.DLL is in your system path or the same directory as your application.
Fluid Path: REFPROP must be able to find its fluid and mixture files at runtime. For cross-platform or complex setups, CoolProp can be used as an interface to help REFPROP locate these files more reliably.
Legacy Version: Note that version 9.1 is an older release. Official support and the latest fluid models are found in Version 10.0, which is available through the NIST Standard Reference Database.
Are you trying to install REFPROP for a specific environment like Python, MATLAB, or C++?
Installing NIST REFPROP 9.1 requires running the installer with administrative privileges and maintaining the default file structure to ensure functionality. Key steps include establishing trusted locations in Excel, enabling the REFPRP91.XLA add-in, and setting environment variables for proper integration. Read the full installation and linking guide at NIST. Linking REFPROP with Other Applications
While Version 10 is the current standard, REFPROP 9.1 remains in use for legacy compatibility and specific research workflows. The following comprehensive guide details the installation, system configuration, and common troubleshooting steps for setting up REFPROP 9.1. 1. Core Installation and System Requirements
REFPROP 9.1 is designed for Windows environments (XP through Windows 10) and requires approximately 10 MB of hard disk space.
Standard Setup: Run the installer executable (typically from a CD-ROM or digital download from NIST). refprop 91 install
Default Path: The program usually installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP.
Mini-REFPROP: For educational or student use, a free "Mini" version is available that follows a similar installation wizard process. 2. Linking with Microsoft Excel
Integrating REFPROP 9.1 with Excel is one of its most common use cases, allowing for thermodynamic calculations directly within spreadsheets. Enabling the Add-in: Open Excel and navigate to the Developer tab. Select Excel Add-ins and click Browse.
Locate REFPRP91.XLA in your installation directory (or your user's library for Mac). Ensure the "Refprp91" box is checked in the Add-ins menu. Trust Center Configuration:
To prevent Excel from blocking the DLL, you must add the REFPROP folder as a Trusted Location via File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
Code Access: You can view or modify the underlying wrapper code by opening the Visual Basic editor and double-clicking Refprop91Code under the REFPROP/Modules project box. 3. Advanced Integration (Fortran & Python)
Fortran: Users can compile the 27 source files into a single project or create a .lib file for easier linking in Windows environments. Recommended compilers include Intel Fortran or gfortran.
Python Wrapper: Install the official wrapper using pip install ctREFPROP.
Environment Variable: The RPPREFIX variable should point to your installation folder so Python can locate the necessary .DLL and fluid files. 4. Troubleshooting and Version Conflicts
Installing multiple versions of REFPROP can lead to "DLL Hell," where the system calls the wrong version of the calculation engine. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - NIST Pages
The installation of REFPROP 9.1 (Reference Fluid Properties) follows a specific process depending on whether you are using the standalone program or integrating it with Microsoft Excel. Core Installation Steps
To install the base version of REFPROP 9.1, you typically need the original installation media (CD-ROM) or a digital installer purchased from NIST.
Run the Installer: Execute the nist2391.exe or Setup.exe file from your installation source.
Default Directory: The program usually installs to C:\Program Files\REFPROP (or C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP on 64-bit systems).
System Requirements: It is designed for Windows environments; older documentation suggests compatibility back to Windows 95/NT, but it remains functional on modern Windows 10/11 systems with proper user permissions. Linking to Microsoft Excel
Integrating REFPROP 9.1 with Excel is one of its most common uses, allowing you to use thermodynamic functions directly in spreadsheets. Trusted Locations:
Open Excel and go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
Under Trusted Locations, click Add new location and browse to your REFPROP folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\REFPROP). Add-in Setup: Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom, select Excel Add-ins in the "Manage" box and click Go. *Note: Some versions used a specific REFPROP
Click Browse and locate the REFPRP91.XLA file in your REFPROP folder. Ensure "Refprp91" is checked in the list. Special Cases: macOS and Version Conflicts
macOS Installation: Installing on Mac requires creating specific directory structures in the Group Containers folder for Office and manually copying fluids, mixtures, and the librefprop.dylib file.
Upgrading to Version 10: If you have REFPROP 10 installed, you can still use the 9.1 interface for backward compatibility. NIST provides a specific REFPRP91.XLA patch to help version 10 users run older spreadsheets without changing formula syntax.
Uninstallation Issues: If an installation fails, ensure you run the unins.exe utility in the REFPROP folder to clear registry entries before attempting a fresh install.
Are you planning to use REFPROP 9.1 primarily for Excel macros or as a standalone GUI for fluid property tables?
REFPROP | NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Once upon a time in the high-stakes world of thermodynamic research, an engineer named Sarah faced a daunting challenge. Her mission: install REFPROP 9.1 , the legendary software from
used to calculate the properties of industrially vital fluids. The Quest for the Installer
Sarah’s journey began with a search for the sacred installation files. Unlike modern apps, REFPROP 9.1 often arrived on a physical CD-ROM. She inserted the disc and carefully ran the installer, watching as it carved out its home in C:\Program Files\REFPROP
. For those without the full version, a "mini" version was sometimes used as a starter. The Excel Trial
The real test came when Sarah tried to link REFPROP to Excel. She knew this was no simple task—it required the precision of a master builder. The Add-In: She located the REFPROP.xlam REFPRP91.XLA
) file and meticulously moved it to a trusted folder, avoiding the treacherous default path that Excel often rejected. The Connection: Through the Excel
menu, she browsed to her folder and enabled the link, ensuring the "Refprp91" box was checked. The Proof: She typed a magic formula: =Density("water","TP","SI",300,1)
. When the cell returned a perfect value instead of an error, she knew the bond was sealed. The Shadow of the Past
Later, Sarah faced a "ghost" from her installation. When she eventually upgraded to Version 10
, the old Version 9.1 wouldn't leave quietly. To banish it, she had to perform a ritualistic "clean uninstall," hunting down hidden folders in and deleting lingering files from her system path. me4293 download and setup mini refprop for students 24-Sept-2020 —
How to Install REFPROP 9.1: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide NIST’s REFPROP (Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties) is the gold standard for researchers and engineers needing accurate thermophysical properties of fluids. While newer versions exist, REFPROP 9.1 remains widely used due to its stability and compatibility with legacy academic and industrial software.
If you are looking to get REFPROP 9.1 up and running on your system, this guide covers the installation process and how to link it with common platforms like Excel, MATLAB, and Python. 1. Prerequisites and System Requirements Before starting, ensure you have the following:
The Installer: REFPROP is a commercial product. You must have the REFPROP91.EXE setup file or the physical media purchased from NIST. Even following the steps perfectly, you may encounter errors
Administrative Rights: You will need permission to write to the C:\Program Files (x86) directory.
Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (32-bit or 64-bit). 2. Running the Core Installation Launch the Setup: Double-click the REFPROP91.EXE file. License Agreement: Read and accept the NIST license terms.
Destination Folder: By default, the installer suggests C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP.
Pro-tip: If you plan on using Python or MATLAB extensively, some users prefer installing to a simpler path like C:\REFPROP to avoid permission issues or "Space in filename" errors in code.
Select Components: Ensure that "Full Installation" is selected so that all fluid files (.fld) and mixture files (.mix) are included.
Finish: Click install. Once finished, you will see a "REFPROP" shortcut on your desktop. 3. Integrating REFPROP 9.1 with Microsoft Excel
Most users utilize REFPROP via the Excel Add-in. Here is how to enable it: Open Excel and go to File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom, select Excel Add-ins from the "Manage" dropdown and click Go.
Click Browse and navigate to your installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP). Select REFPROP.xlam (for modern Excel) or REFPROP.xla.
Important: You must also copy the file REFPROP.DLL from the installation folder to your C:\Windows\SysWOW64 directory (for 64-bit Windows) or C:\Windows\System32 (for 32-bit Windows). This allows Excel to "see" the engine. 4. Connecting to MATLAB
To use REFPROP 9.1 in MATLAB, you need a wrapper file (often provided in the MATLAB subfolder of the installation). In MATLAB, use addpath('C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP'). Use the refpropm.m function to call properties.
Example: density = refpropm('D', 'T', 300, 'P', 101.325, 'water')
Ensure your MATLAB bit-version matches the DLL (use a 64-bit wrapper if using 64-bit MATLAB). 5. Connecting to Python
Python users typically use the ctypes based wrapper or the popular CoolProp interface to call REFPROP.
Via CoolProp: If you have CoolProp installed, you can call REFPROP fluids by setting the "Alternative Path."
Direct Call: You will need to point your script to refprop.dll. Ensure your Python environment is the same "bitness" (32-bit vs 64-bit) as the DLL you are calling. 6. Troubleshooting Common Errors
"File Not Found" for Fluids: This happens if the program doesn't know where the /fluids folder is. Go to the REFPROP GUI, select Options > Paths, and ensure the path points to your installation folder.
DLL Errors in Excel: If you see #NAME? in Excel, it usually means the REFPROP.xlam is active but it cannot find the REFPROP.dll in the Windows system folders.
Permission Denied: If you cannot save changes to fluid mixes, run the REFPROP GUI as an Administrator.
Installing REFPROP 9.1 is straightforward, but the real work lies in the path configurations for your specific external software. Always ensure your .dll files are in a location where your system's PATH environment variable can find them.
Even following the steps perfectly, you may encounter errors. Here are the most frequent issues with refprop 91 install and their solutions.