Air Compressor Cooling Air Flow

Air to liquid intercoolers are by far the most common form of intercooler found on marine engines given that a limitless supply of cooling water is available and most engines are located in closed compartments where obtaining a good flow of cooling air for an air to air unit would be difficult.

Air compressor cooling air flow.

As the compressed air cools up to 75 of the water vapor present condenses to a liquid and can be removed from the system. Most air cooled aftercoolers are sized to cool the compressed air to within 15 f to 20 f of ambient cooling air temperature approach temperature. The more compressed air is cooled inside a compressor s inter cooler and aftercooler the more energy efficient the compressor will be and the more the water vapor will be condensed a water cooled compressor installation puts little demand on the compressor room ventilation system as the cooling water contains in the form of heat approximately 90 of the energy taken up by the electric motor. 01 the cooling water piping connections to the compressor cylinder intercooler and aftercooler should be arranged as shown in the general arrangement drawing and water piping diagram.

These values should be kept in mind when evaluating any compressor cooling system. Most air compressors are designed to receive cooling water at the required flow with a maximum inlet temperature of 100ºf and expect maximum discharge water temperatures of 120ºf to 130ºf.