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Refprop 91 Install ✦ Newest & Extended

Open Command Prompt and type:

echo %REFPROP_PATH%

It should return the full installation path, e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP\. If not, manually add it: Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.


After the file copy completes, the installer will prompt: “Please locate your REFPROP.LIC file.”

Troubleshooting: If the installer fails to recognize the license, manually copy REFPROP.LIC into the installation folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP) after installation.

| 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. |

Cause: Permissions issue with Windows Registry.
Solution: Run the installer under the hidden Administrator account. Enable it via:

net user administrator /active:yes

Then log out and log in as Administrator to run the installer.


Before inserting your installation media (CD-ROM or downloaded ISO), ensure your system is ready:

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

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

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 refprop 91 install

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

"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 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. Open Command Prompt and type: echo %REFPROP_PATH%

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.

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 —

Guide to Installing NIST REFPROP 9.1 NIST REFPROP (Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties) version 9.1 is a widely used software for calculating the thermophysical properties of industrially important fluids and their mixtures. While it has been officially superseded by REFPROP Version 10

, many researchers and engineers continue to use version 9.1 for consistency with older projects. System Requirements It should return the full installation path, e

Before beginning the installation, ensure your system meets these basic requirements: 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. Core Installation Procedure

The standard installation typically involves a setup executable provided by NIST. Run the Installer : Locate your installation file (often named nist2391.exe or found on a provided CD-ROM). Follow the Wizard

: Execute the file and follow the on-screen prompts. The default installation path is usually C:\Program Files\REFPROP

: It is recommended to keep this default path as many external wrappers (like Excel) look for this specific directory. Environment Variables (Optional but Recommended)

: To access REFPROP from other applications, you may need to set specific environment variables:

: Set this variable to point to your main installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\REFPROP

: Add the REFPROP directory to your system's "Path" variable to allow the system to locate the REFPROP.DLL Linking REFPROP 9.1 with Microsoft Excel

One of the most common ways to use REFPROP 9.1 is through its Excel Add-in. Locate Add-in Files REFPRP91.XLA REFPROP.xlam is in your main installation folder. Add Trusted Location In Excel, go to

File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations C:\Program Files\REFPROP as a trusted location to ensure macros can run. Activate the Add-in File > Options > Add-ins At the bottom, select Excel Add-ins from the "Manage" dropdown and click Browse to your REFPROP folder and select the Verify the Connection : Test a simple command in a cell, such as =Density("water","TP","SI",300,1) , to ensure properties are being pulled correctly. Troubleshooting Common Issues Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - NIST Pages

Installing NIST REFPROP 9.1 typically involves the base software installation on Windows followed by linking the Dynamic Link Library (DLL) to applications like Excel, MATLAB, or Python. 1. Core Software Installation (Windows) REFPROP 9.1 is a licensed software provided by NIST. Run the Installer

: Use the executable provided with your purchase (often via CD-ROM or digital download). Default Directory : By default, it installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP

. It is highly recommended to keep this path, as many third-party wrappers look for it there by default. Verification : After installation, open the REFPROP.EXE

(Graphical User Interface) to ensure the fluid files and mixture models load correctly. National Institute of Standards and Technology (.gov) 2. Linking to Microsoft Excel

The most common use case for version 9.1 is within Excel via the Locate the Add-in REFPROP.XLS in your installation folder. Save a copy as REFPROP.XLA REFPROP.XLAM to your local "Add-ins" folder. Set Trusted Locations Open Excel and go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings Trusted Locations and add the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP Activate the Add-in File > Options > Add-Ins In the "Manage" dropdown at the bottom, select Excel Add-ins (or browse to find the file if it's not listed). Fixing DLL Links : If functions return errors, press to open the Visual Basic Editor. Check if the path to REFPROP.DLL in the module matches your actual installation path. National Institute of Standards and Technology (.gov) 3. Installation on macOS

Because REFPROP is a Windows-based Fortran program, macOS users must use a wrapper. Directory Setup : Create a folder named /Users/$USER/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/ Copy Files : Copy your folders (must be capitalized) and the librefprop.dylib file into this new folder. Excel Setup REFPRP91.XLA

file specifically designed for Mac, which can be found in the NIST REFPROP-wrappers GitHub 4. Troubleshooting Common Issues Missing Fluids : Ensure the subdirectories are present in the main REFPROP folder. Path Environment Variable : If calling REFPROP from Python or MATLAB, adding C:\Program Files (x86)\REFPROP to your Windows System Environment Variables (Path) often resolves "DLL not found" errors. 32-bit vs 64-bit

: Ensure your Excel version (32 or 64-bit) matches the DLL version you are calling. REFPROP 9.1 typically provides both REFPROP.DLL (32-bit) and REFPRP64.DLL CoolProp can't load REFPROP v10 mixtures on Debian 9 #1829

Some older installers trigger false positives in modern antivirus software (e.g., Windows Defender, McAfee). The installer uses self-extracting archives that may be flagged as suspicious. Disable real-time protection just for the installation duration, then re-enable it afterward.