Air Cooled Aftercooler

Van Air AC Series Air Cooled Aftercoolers utilize free and readily available atmospheric air as the cooling medium. Standard models are rated to 3500 SCFM.

Hot moist air from the compressor is cooled rapidly to a safe, usable temperature by the Van Air triple-cool process. The AC Series Air-Cooled Aftercoolers utilize atmospheric air as the cooling medium. Compressed air enters the inlet manifold and is evenly distributed through a series of S-shaped copper tubes. The air flows across the cooling surface three times before it enters the outlet manifold. The heat transferred to the finned-tube core section dissipates the heat with a motor-driven fan. As the compressed air is cooled a substantial amount of moisture is condensed and collected into the separator installed on the aftercooler outlet. Install indoors or out.

SIZING AN AFTERCOOLER

1. Determine inlet temperature to aftercooler
2. Determine desired outlet temperature. (Aftercooler outlet temperature = ambient temperature + approach)
3. Determine needed approach. (Approach = desired outlet temperature – ambient temperature)
4. Find flow (SCFM) under column of correct inlet and approach temperature and read left for model number.

In order for you to use the approach temperature tables, you first need to decide if you need a 5, 10, 15 or 20 degree approach temperature. Then you need to determine your flow rate in SCFM. Last but not least, you need to determine the temperature of your compressed air as it leaves the air compressor.

Here is an example:

1. You want a 15 F approach temperature
2. The Air Compressor outputs 500 SCFM
3. The compressed air discharge temperature is 200 F

The best aftercooler for these operating conditions is an AC-150.

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