Skip to content
Air Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHE)
Heatxforce provides expert design, supply, installation, repair and maintenance services for Air Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHEs) used across industrial processing, power generation, oil & gas and petrochemical applications. Designed to reject process heat directly to ambient air, ACHEs provide a reliable, water-free cooling solution for facilities operating in demanding environments where water availability is limited or cooling tower infrastructure is impractical.
From new process installations and equipment upgrades to tube bundle replacement, fan refurbishment and preventative maintenance, our experienced engineers deliver high-performance air cooled heat exchanger solutions that maximise efficiency, reliability and equipment lifespan.
Experts in Design, Supply, Repair & Installation
Speak with our experts
Fill out our quick and easy contact form with your enquiry and we'll get back to you.
Air Cooled Heat Exchangers Explained
What is an Air Cooled Heat Exchanger (ACHE)?
An Air Cooled Heat Exchanger (ACHE), sometimes referred to as a fin-fan cooler, is a heat exchanger that cools process fluids by transferring heat directly to ambient air using finned tube bundles and large axial fans.
Unlike shell and tube heat exchangers that rely on cooling water, ACHEs use atmospheric air as the cooling medium, making them ideal for sites where water conservation, environmental compliance or operational efficiency are key considerations.
What is an Air Cooled Heat Exchanger used for?
Air cooled heat exchangers are widely used throughout heavy industry to cool process fluids, gases and hydrocarbons without consuming water.
Typical Applications
- Oil & gas production
- Petrochemical processing
- Refineries
- Power generation
- Compressor aftercoolers
- Engine and turbine cooling
- Chemical processing
- LNG facilities
- Industrial process cooling
Why Choose Our Air Cooled Heat Exchanger Solutions?
Our ACHE systems are designed to provide dependable, energy-efficient cooling while reducing water usage, operating costs and maintenance requirements.
Water-Free Cooling
Air cooled heat exchangers eliminate the need for cooling water systems, reducing environmental impact, infrastructure costs and ongoing water treatment requirements.
High Thermal Performance
Optimised finned tube bundles and high-efficiency axial fan systems deliver excellent heat rejection even under demanding operating conditions.
Heavy-Duty Industrial Construction
Designed for continuous operation in harsh industrial environments, our ACHEs are manufactured using robust structural steel frameworks, corrosion-resistant materials and premium mechanical components.
Low Lifecycle Costs
Modular construction and accessible components simplify maintenance, reduce downtime and extend equipment service life.
Inside the Air Cooled Heat Exchanger
How It Works
Hot process fluid flows through finned tubes within the exchanger bundle. As axial fans force or draw ambient air across the external fins, heat is transferred from the process fluid into the atmosphere.
The cooled fluid then exits the exchanger and returns to the process, providing continuous, efficient heat rejection without water consumption.
Forced Draft and Induced Draft Designs
Air cooled heat exchangers are available in both forced draft and induced draft configurations to suit different process requirements, site layouts and thermal performance objectives.
Construction and Materials
Tube Materials
- Carbon Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Duplex Stainless Steel
- Copper Nickel
- Titanium (specialist applications)
Fin Materials
- Aluminium
- Galvanised Steel
- Stainless Steel
Fan Systems
- High-efficiency axial fans
- Belt-driven or direct-drive motors
- Variable Speed Drive (VSD) options
- Low-noise fan configurations
Technical Specifications
Standard Performance Ratings
- Cooling Capacity: Custom engineered for process requirements
- Operating Pressure: Up to 150+ bar (application dependent)
- Operating Temperature: -50°C to +500°C
- Fan Configuration: Single or multiple axial fans
- Bundle Design: Horizontal or inclined configurations
- Control Options: Fixed speed or variable speed fans
Benefits for Industrial Process Cooling
Reduced Water Consumption
Air cooled heat exchangers require no cooling water during normal operation, helping facilities reduce water usage and comply with environmental objectives.
Improved Operational Reliability
Robust industrial construction and proven heat transfer technology provide dependable cooling for continuous process applications.
Lower Maintenance Requirements
Without cooling towers, pumps or water treatment systems, maintenance is simplified while operating costs are significantly reduced.
Flexible Installation
Available in a wide variety of sizes and bundle arrangements, ACHEs can be customised to suit virtually any industrial process or site layout.
Trusted Across Critical Industries
Oil & Gas
- Gas compression stations
- Production facilities
- Pipeline cooling
- Offshore platforms
Petrochemical & Chemical Processing
- Hydrocarbon cooling
- Reactor cooling
- Product condensers
- Process heat rejection
Power Generation
- Turbine cooling
- Generator cooling
- Auxiliary cooling systems
- Combined heat and power (CHP)
Industrial Manufacturing
- Process cooling
- Compressor cooling
- Hydraulic oil cooling
- Heavy manufacturing plants
Air Cooled Heat Exchanger Services
Specification & Design
Our engineers undertake detailed thermal and mechanical design calculations to specify the optimum air cooled heat exchanger for your application. We evaluate process heat loads, ambient temperatures, airflow requirements, pressure drops, fan selection and structural considerations to deliver efficient, reliable and cost-effective cooling solutions tailored to your operational requirements.
Installation & Commissioning
Heatxforce provides complete installation and commissioning services, including equipment positioning, structural assembly, pipework integration, electrical installation, fan alignment, vibration testing and operational performance verification. Every system is commissioned to ensure maximum efficiency, reliability and safe operation from first start-up.
Overhaul & Repair
Our overhaul and repair services include tube bundle inspections, fin cleaning and straightening, leak detection, fan and motor refurbishment, gearbox servicing, bearing replacement, vibration analysis and structural repairs. We also provide replacement tube bundles, fan assemblies and mechanical components to restore performance and minimise production downtime.
Maintenance & Service
Routine preventative maintenance helps maximise cooling performance and extend equipment life. Our maintenance programmes include bundle cleaning, fan inspections, motor testing, vibration monitoring, lubrication schedules, electrical inspections, performance assessments and condition-based maintenance planning to reduce unplanned failures and optimise operational efficiency.
Codes, Standards & Certifications
Heatxforce build pressure equipment in accordance with PD5500 and ASME VIII Pressure vessel codes whilst conforming to the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and UKCA Pressure Equipment Safety Regulations (PESR), which are mandatory inspection requirements applicable to pressure vessels and systems.
Our welding procedures are in accordance with ISO 15614-1 and ASME IX.
Welder qualifications are in accordance with ISO 9606-1 and ASME IX.
All of our welding related qualifications are certified by TUV Nord.
For more information,
View our
brochure