Overview of Air Cooled

Heat Exchangers

( “Air Cooler 101” )

Discussion of Key
Air Cooler
Components
Tube Bundle
 Plenum and Fan Ring
Fan
Ring

Plenum Plenum

Fan
Ring

Forced Draft Induced Draft

Tube Bundle Frame

Tube Supports
Header Supports
Headers
Staggered Tube Layout
Finned Tubes
Hy-Fin® Extruded

Hy-Fin®
Extruded Serrated

Wrap-On

Embedded
 Fin Types

Up to 550° F Extruded
Medium Cost

Up to 750° F
Highest Cost
Embedded

Up to 250° F L-Foot
Lowest Cost
Extruded Fins
Tube / Tubesheet Connection
Comparison of Forced and Induced
Draft Units

Forced Draft Induced Draft

Air Flow Distribution

Forced Draft Induced Draft

 Recirculation
Forced Draft Induced Draft
Low Exit Velocity High Exit Velocity

Higher Outlet Velocity Minimizes

Potential of Hot Air Recirculation
Air Outlet Temperature Limits

Forced Draft unit Can Take

Higher Air Outlet Temperatures
 Forced Draft
Advantages Disadvantages
• Lower operating cost • Low air exit velocity
• Relatively smaller • Higher chance of
drive motors required recirculation
• Ease of maintenance • Irregular airflow
of drive components distribution across
• Drive components in bundle
the cool air flow
• Can withstand higher
process temps
• Accepts exit louvers
 Induced Draft
Advantages Disadvantages

• Less chance of hot air • Relatively larger

recirculation motors required
• Better air distribution • Fan in the hot air
• Tube Bundle exhaust
protected from • More maintenance
elements • Fan maintenance
more difficult
• Will not accept louvers
?? Questions ??
END OF PRESENTATION