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Finned tube heat exchangers are also known as air/water heat exchangers, gas/water heat exchangers, or air cooled heat exchangers (ACHE). They are sometimes referred to as economizers, preheaters, or recuperators when used for heat recovery applications. In the context of HVAC and refrigeration, they are often called air coils or just coils.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Air/water heat exchangers:
This term emphasizes the heat transfer between air (a gas) and water (a liquid).
Gas/water heat exchangers:
This is a broader term that includes any heat transfer between a gas and a liquid.
Air cooled heat exchangers (ACHE):
This term highlights the use of air to cool a fluid inside the tubes.
Economizers, preheaters, or recuperators:
These terms are used when the heat exchanger is used for heat recovery, such as capturing heat from exhaust air.
Air coils or coils:
In HVAC and refrigeration, these are common names for finned tube heat exchangers used in systems like air conditioning and refrigeration.