We design various coolers equipments to working in different environments according to customers' requirements.
Air-Cooler Components
Most air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler) consist of the following components:
- Fan or air moving device
- A device to direct air to the surface area.
- Coil with a heat transfer surface
- Supporting Structure.
- Guards for protecting the coil area and rotating the equipment
- Louvres for temperature control
- A speed/driver reduction device.
Common Types Of air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler)
Most heat exchangers are built in one or more configuration which is controlled by the installation, power available and customer preferences.
Some of this air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler) include :
Horizontal Coil Type
This is the most familiar type of air cooler which has a vertical air flow and horizontal fan. It is has an electric motor drive which is connected to the fan by V-belts which control the speed between the fan and the motor. These models can also be driven by an engine which has a right gear drive or by air and hydraulic motors. In addition, this model comes in both forced and induced draft configurations. A typical use for this kind of model is in refineries or plants where coolers are installed a distance away from other plant equipment to allow sufficient air supply around the cooler.
Vertical Air cooler
Vertical air cooler is another common air cooler which consists of stacked bundles arranged vertically. The air flow intake comes from a horizontal direction but may vary depending on the model. Initially, this model was made for those applications where the fan was propelled from an engine and the air cooler was mounted with another equipment. Typical use for such models can be found in generator sets and mounted gas compressors. The cooler can be utilized as an engine’s radiator and can also include air or gas cooler for the compressor
Most of these coolers are v-belt propelled from a diesel or natural gas but some manufacturers also develop the same model with electric motor drive components.
Again, configuration for this model is available in both induced and forced draft, with both of them having merits and demerits which are dependent on the applications.
Natural Draft air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler)
In cases where electric power is not present, natural coolers can be used for other applications. The design for natural draft coolers is based on the cooler bundle generating air flow from natural crosswinds or when hot air comes from the bundle, where the cooler air replaces it. Most natural coolers come in a several configurations such as models with vertical coils, horizontal coils and individual units which utilize stacks in order to provide added capacity of generating air flow on the coils.
Galvanized or Painted
This is based on a customer’s preference but whilst the costs are almost the same the cost of the painted ones are slightly higher. However Galvanized are easier to maintain as they do not rust.
Kinds of control for these devices
The use and application for air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler) is what determines the kind of control needed. The most common control for air-cooled heat exchanger (air cooler) are given below with no particular order:
- Steam coils
- Manually operated louvre(s)
- Electrically operated louvre(s)
- Fan drives which have variable frequency
- Warm air re-circulation devices
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