Engine Cooling

Oil & Jacket Water Coolers

The two most common types of heat exchangers used as oil coolers are “shell and tube” and “air-cooled” types. Both technologies are capable of removing the same amounts of heat, given their size. The main difference is how they remove heat from the process fluid (oil).

In shell and tube units, hot oil running through the shell side is usually cooled with cold water which runs through the tubes. Alternatively, air-cooled heat exchangers either use the ambient movement of air or a motor-driven fan to push cool air over a series of fins or coils, cooling the hot oil circulating inside.

A critical distinction between the two technologies is the demand for power in many air-cooled units. Passive radiator-style heat exchangers don’t require power. But any unit with a fan requires either electrical or hydraulic power to drive.

Another advantage of shell and tube models is sizing. This classic configuration can typically be much smaller than an air-cooled unit capable of equivalent cooling.