Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers vs Water Cooled Heat Exchanger
Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers
Advantages
No water dependency (ideal for droughts).
Lower maintenance (no scaling/fouling).
Environmentally friendly (no chemical discharge).
Disadvantages
Less efficient in hot climates.
Larger footprint and noisier (fans).
Water-Cooled Heat Exchangers
Advantages
Higher efficiency (better heat transfer).
Compact design for same heat load.
Disadvantages Water costs and treatment expenses.
Environmental regulations (thermal pollution).