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Air-cooled condensers are heat exchangers that take a process stream in gaseous form, cool it below its dewpoint and discharge a stream with the majority of the material in liquid form. Multiple axial flow fans are generally used to supply the cooling ambient air. The medium being cooled is dependent on the process being considered. Most of the applications are in petrochemical, power generation, and refrigeration.
An air-cooled condenser uses ambient air to remove heat from the gas stream. In commercial refrigerant applications, the superheated refrigerant is cooled and condensed in a finned tube array. At Sterling Thermal Technology, we enhance the internal surface of the finned tubes to optimise the condensation of refrigerants. The design pressure of the system in conjunction with the potential for fouling and corrosion, determine the tube and external fin arrangements.
In the petrochemical industries where the majority of applications are for steam condensation, a range of specifications may be applied. It limits the usable design solutions or doesn’t permit the enhancement of internal tube surfaces. Tube material diameters and wall thicknesses may be strictly controlled.
An air-cooled steam condenser takes low-pressure steam after a process and condenses it to allow discharge as condensate. The resulting condensate may be contaminated with other materials from the process. As a result, the stream may then undergo further treatments before releasing to the environment.
The area of application will determine major factors in the fan selection, mechanical build and general specification requirements of the equipment. The specification of fans may vary significantly. Axial fan coverage, overall efficiency, fan tip speed and generated noise in addition to the geometry associated with plenum arrangements need to be considered. All factors must be in full compliance with the appropriate specifications and identified environmental conditions.
Our expertise in fin design and understanding of a full range of specifications ensures that we deliver solutions in compliance with the appropriate codes and specifications.
As a recognised manufacturer of air-cooled condensers, we can help you to get the best equipment for your application. However, if you feel you need another type of heat exchanger, visit our products and services page or contact us.
Ease of design is essential for us. We know that Sterling Thermal Technology air cooled condensers are designed to our individual project requirements ensuring that the installation meets all regulatory specifications. Sterling has a proven ability to meet the most rigorous standards of quality and has delivered products that have exceeded our requirements in terms of design life.
We customise our heat exchange solution to meet your requirements, so contact us today to discover the right equipment for you.
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