What is meant by Lube Oil Cooler?
A lube oil cooler (lubricating oil cooler) is a heat exchanger used to cool the lubricating oil in engines, turbines, compressors, and other rotating machinery.
Purpose:
Lubricating oil absorbs heat during operation as it reduces friction between moving parts. If the oil gets too hot, it can lose its lubricating properties, degrade, or cause damage to the equipment. A lube oil cooler keeps the oil at an optimal temperature.
How it Works:
A lube oil cooler typically transfers heat from the hot oil to a cooling medium—either:
- Water (water-cooled type)
- Air (air-cooled type)
The basic process:
- Hot lube oil exits the engine/machine.
- It passes through the cooler.
- Heat is transferred from the oil to the cooling medium.
- Cooled oil is returned to the system for reuse.
Types of Lube Oil Coolers:
- Shell and Tube Cooler:
- Oil flows through the shell, cooling water through the tubes (or vice versa).
- Common in marine and industrial applications.
- Plate Type Cooler:
- Uses stacked plates for compact design and efficient heat transfer.
- Air-cooled Cooler:
- Uses fans to blow air across fins where oil flows through tubes.
- Often used in mobile or remote applications where water isn’t available.