Air Cooler Heat Exchanger API 661 For Power Generation Plants ISO 13706

Air Cooler Heat Exchanger API 661 For Power Generation Plants ISO 13706

Industrial air coolers heat exchanger, also known as forced-draft air coolers (FDAC) or evaporative coolers, they are widely used in large-scale projects requiring efficient, cost-effective heat dissipation.

Some Common Key Projects

Industrial air coolers heat exchnager typically occurs in the following types of projects:

Power Generation Plants, Focus: High-temperature resistance, corrosion protection (for coastal plants,ect.)

Thermal Power Plants
1.Direct Air-Cooled Condensers (ACC) ,for steam turbine exhaust cooling (replacing water-cooled condensers).
2.Auxiliary Cooling for pumps, compressors, and transformers.

Gas Turbine Power Plants
1.Inlet Air Cooling, increases efficiency by lowering intake air temperature.

Nuclear & Renewable Energy Plants
1.Waste Heat Rejection, used in dry cooling systems for solar thermal or nuclear plants.
 

Oil & Gas / Petrochemical Industry, Key Requirements:Explosion-proof design (ATEX certification), chemical-resistant materials (e.g., stainless steel 316L)

Refineries
1.Cooling for distillation columns, reactors, and heat exchangers.

Chemical Plants (Ethylene, Fertilizers, etc.)
1.Process cooling for compressors and reactors.

LNG Terminals
1.Cooling boil-off gas (BOG) recondensation systems.

Metallurgy & Heavy Manufacturing, Key Technical Requirements:Dust-proof filters, high-temperature fan systems (>150°C)

Steel Mills
1.Blast furnace cooling, continuous casting machine cooling.

Aluminum & Copper Smelting
1.Electrolytic cell cooling, flue gas heat recovery.

Cement Plants
1.Rotary kiln and grate cooler cooling.

An air cooler is a euipment that cools air through the evaporation of water. Their advantage is that unlike traditional air conditioners that use refrigerants and compressors, air coolers are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They work best in hot, dry climates where humidity is low.

Key Advantages

Energy Efficiency: fans consume less power than water-cooled systems.
Low Maintenance: unlike cooling towers,no need water treatment.
Dry Operation: ideal for water-scarce regions.
Modular Design: easy to scale for large industrial loads.

Air Cooler Heat Exchanger Works

The core components: finned tubes(embedded G finned tubes or extruded finned tubes,etc.); forced-draft fans; header/manifold; support structure (steel frame to withstand wind or loads). 

Note about finned tubes: Aluminum fins for corrosion resistance, stainless steel for harsh chemicals.

Working Principle

1. Hot Process Fluid Enters: The fluid (water, oil, steam, or chemicals,ect.) flows through the tubes.
2. Forced-Draft Fans Blow Air: Fans actively push ambient air across the finned tube.
3. Heat Exchange Occurs: Air absorbs heat from the tubes via conduction/convection.Fins amplify surface area for faster cooling.
4. Cooled Fluid Exits: The process fluid leaves at a lower temperature, ready for reuse.
5. Hot Air Discharged: Warm exhaust air is released to the atmosphere.