Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHEs) in Petrochemical & Chemical Plants
Air-cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs), also known as fin-fan coolers, are widely used in petrochemical and chemical plants to reject process heat to the atmosphere. They are preferred in applications where water scarcity, high maintenance costs, or environmental regulations limit the use of water-cooled systems.
Advantages in Petrochemical/Chemical Plants
Water Savings – No need for cooling water, reducing water treatment costs.
Lower Operating Costs – Eliminates pumps, water treatment, and blowdown systems.
Environmental Compliance – Avoids thermal pollution & water discharge issues.
Flexible Installation – Can be placed anywhere, even in remote locations.
Low Fouling – Air-side fouling is easier to clean than water-side scaling.
Common Applications in Petrochemical Plants
- Crude oil & gas cooling
- Refinery process cooling (e.g., overhead condensers in distillation columns)
- Polymer & plastic cooling
- Compressed air aftercoolers
- LNG & ammonia processing
Design Considerations
- Ambient Temperature – Affects heat transfer efficiency.
- Process Fluid Properties – Viscosity, fouling tendency, and temperature range.
- Airflow Control – Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) or louvers for optimization.
Material Selection – Carbon steel, stainless steel, or exotic alloys for corrosion resistance.