Air coolers are heat exchangers indicated as API heat exchangers. They are mainly used in refineries in both oil processing and natural gas transport and processing where they are used worldwide.
They are distinguished by their use at high operating temperatures and pressures, with highly corrosive and flammable media requiring special structures, materials and demanding welding procedures (heads with special materials and plate thicknesses, duplex steels, etc.).
Increasingly, air-cooled chillers are replacing cooling towers in power generation plants, where they are used as standard because water is rarer in some industrial areas and is more expensive. In many areas requiring power production, water sources are insufficient and in concentrated industrial areas where water is available, its price is very high.
The main components are the ventilation units (electric motors with blades, with direct drive, belt or gearbox drive), the coil or tube bundle (usually finned), the steel structure and the louvres.