Introduction to Air Cooled Heat Exchangers
An air-cooled heat exchanger is a cooling system specifically designed to support industrial applications. It utilizes ambient air to dissipate heat from any fluid or liquid, generally in multiple finned tubes. The tubes with air around them eliminate heat without the need for cooling liquids or water.
These systems are an excellent option for applications that require dry cooling or are affected by water scarcity. Overall, it is reliable, simple, and offers outstanding thermal performance. The ACHEs (Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers) are commonly used in refrigeration systems and power plants.
Let us look into some basics of this system so you can make informed decisions when purchasing one from air cooled heat exchanger manufacturers.
What are the key components of ACHEs?
The list of essential ACHE components includes:
- Fins
- Tube bundle
- Fans
- Controls and instrumentation
- Support structure
- Header boxes
How do air-cooled heat exchangers work?
The working of ACHEs depends on their model. However, the general procedure or working appears to be as follows. The hot fluid or liquid is transferred to multiple finned tubes. They ensure that the heat in the fluid is transferred to the tube walls. The fluid flows through the tube, transferring the heat to the tube walls and long fins. The fins work by increasing the surface area, allowing the surrounding air to absorb more heat.
The exchangers feature large fans which can either be above (induced draft) or below (forced draft) the tube bundle. These fans pass the ambient air through these fins, ensuring that the air absorbs the heat. The cooled fluid and released air ensure that the system can be processed or reused for future applications.
As soon as the hot air is released into the environment, the cycle is complete. The heat rejection throughout the entire process ensures that the system operates at its optimal efficiency.
What are the common applications of ACHEs?
The most common industrial applications of ACHEs include:
- Power plant turbine exhaust cooling
- Gas compression stations
- Data center cooling
- Petrochemical and refinery processes
- Generator and transformer cooling
Key characteristics of ACHEs
The significant traits or characteristics of air-cooled heat exchangers include:
- Less power consumption
- Ability to withstand high operating pressure and temperature
- Efficient heat transfer capacity and flow rate
- CO2 emissions control and positive environmental impact
Wrapping up
Air-cooled heat exchangers are excellent for industrial cooling applications. They offer efficiency and quality, utilizing green technology to remove heat from the fluids. However, ensure that you source the equipment from reliable process equipment manufacturers in India, such as Thermosag.

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