Alfa Laval Air Cooled Exchanger (ACE)

The Alfa Laval Air Cooled Exchangers or commonly known as ACE is a key addition to the Alfa Laval’s complete heat exchanger portfolio. ACE uses convectional cooling to cool a process fluid. It consists of a fan that provides cooled air to the process fluid flowing in a tube bundle. ACE uses the finned tube technology which enables it to reach high temperature up to 1000°F and high pressure up to 5500 psi. The tube bundle can be as long as 8 feet, wide as 15 feet and have a maximum of 6 rows. The header box is designed as per ASME appendix 13 standards. The tube size ranges from ¾ inch to 1 ½ inch. ACE can also be used for close temperature approach of 10°F. The fan can be driven either by an engine or a motor. It can also be configured to forced draft or induced draft. There are two types of ACE namely vertical and horizontal.

Allows multiple fan designs and is more flexible in sizing| Common in process industries

Allows multiple fan designs and is more flexible in sizing| Common in process industries

Header Installation

Alfa Laval has reinvented the Air-cooled heat exchanger by investing more than 100 million dollars to its R&D. Alfa Laval has made ACE a better solution when compared to a cooling tower. The cooling tower uses water from water body (lake, sea etc.) to cool down process fluid but water is not always easily available, in such situations ACE can be used. ACE does not require any cooling water which also eliminates the risk of fouling, usually found in a cooling tower. Eliminates the risk of Legionnaire’s Disease which is typically spread by water droplets from cooling towers. ACE has a low operating cost, operates as unmanned stations, easily installed and environmentally friendly.

Tube Installation

ACE uses finned tube technology. The fins act as a turbine and creates huge turbulence. This increases the sheer stress which improves performance by 15%. These tube bundles are rolled on to a header box which enables it to reach high pressures. Welding changes the metallurgy of the tube thereby decreasing its strength. The tube bundles are easily accessible through the header box for inspection and maintenance. These tubes can be pressure washed for unplugging.

High Performance Fins

There are different fin types for different applications

ACEs can be used in a variety of applications including: