Cooling Tower vs. Air Cooled Heat Exchanger (ACHE)
| Feature | Cooling Tower System | Air Cooled Heat Exchanger (ACHE) |
| Cooling Principle | Evaporative (Wet) | Sensible Heat Transfer (Dry) |
| Final Heat Sink | Ambient Wet-Bulb Temperature | Ambient Dry-Bulb Temperature |
| Water Usage | High | None (Closed Loop) |
| Maintenance | High (Water Treatment, Scaling) | Low (Clean Fins, Check Belts) |
| Initial Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Operating Cost | Water + Chemicals + Fan Power | Fan Power Only |
| Efficiency in Hot Weather | Excellent | Poor (Requires Derating) |
| Footprint in Engine Room | Small | Large |
| Risk of Legionella | Yes | No |
| Freeze Protection | Complex | Simple (Antifreeze) |