What Is an Air Cooled Heat Exchanger?

An air cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) is a type of heat exchange equipment that uses ambient air as the cooling medium to lower the temperature of process fluids. Compared with traditional water-cooled systems, air coolers significantly reduce water consumption, operational costs, and environmental risks.

Air is driven across finned tube bundles by axial fans, facilitating heat transfer from the fluid inside the tubes to the air outside.

Typical types include:

• Forced draft (fans below the bundle)

• Induced draft (fans above the bundle)

• Fixed-tube and plug-type header structures

Key Design & Selection Parameters

Proper selection of an air cooled heat exchanger is critical to operational performance. Boyu Industry provides detailed engineering support based on the following parameters:

• Process fluid type, corrosiveness, and pressure level

• Inlet/outlet fluid temperatures

• Heat duty (kW or kcal/h)

• Ambient air temperature, humidity, altitude

• Fan type (induced or forced draft), required airflow

• Tube material (carbon steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, etc.)

• Fin type and material (extruded, L-type, embedded, aluminum, copper)

• Space and noise constraints at installation site

• Maintenance access and cleaning requirements

Our engineers offer complete thermal sizing and mechanical strength calculation reports upon request.

Structural Components

• Finned Tube Bundles: Available in various finning methods and materials to match thermal load and corrosion resistance requirements

• Axial Fans: Belt-driven or direct-driven, low-noise and high-efficiency models optional

• Headers and Tube Sheets: Designed for operating pressure and temperature, customizable in structure

• Support Structure: Modular, skid-mounted, or welded frame depending on site conditions

• Louvers and Dampers: Optional for airflow control and temperature regulation

• Cleaning Systems: Manual or automatic cleaning systems available for heavy-dust environments

Application Industries

Boyu air cooled heat exchangers are used in:

• Oil refineries – product cooling, condensation, recovery

• Petrochemical plants – reactor cooling, acid recovery

• Natural gas compression stations – interstage cooling, gas dehydration

• Power stations – generator and transformer oil cooling

• Metallurgy – cooling of process fluids and gases

• Chemical plants – solvent recovery, temperature control systems

Manufacturing Capabilities

Boyu Industry holds multiple domestic and international certifications, including ASME U Stamp, and has extensive experience in OEM and EPC project delivery.

• In-house fin tube manufacturing line

• High-precision welding and NDE inspection capabilities

• Experienced engineering team with CFD simulation and 3D design support

• Projects delivered to Asia, Russia, Europe, and the Middle East

• Support for custom packaging, overseas installation, and documentation

Quality Assurance

• 100% hydrostatic testing before shipment

• Radiographic, ultrasonic, and penetrant testing per project requirements

• Material traceability and QA records archived for 20+ years

• Third-party inspection supported (BV, SGS, TUV, etc.)