MARINE HEAT EXCHANGER

Description

A marine heat exchanger is a specialized device used in marine applications to transfer heat between engine coolant and seawater or freshwater, helping to maintain optimal engine temperatures on ships, boats, and other marine vessels. It functions similarly to a radiator in a car but is adapted for marine environments, where seawater is often used as the cooling medium.

The typical marine heat exchanger consists of a tube bundle inside a cylindrical shell. Hot engine coolant flows through the tubes while cold seawater flows around the tubes in the shell (or vice versa), allowing heat to transfer from the coolant to the seawater without the two fluids mixing. This closed-loop system prevents corrosive seawater from directly circulating through the engine, protecting it from damage.

Marine heat exchangers are commonly found in inboard engines, generators, and air conditioning systems on boats. They come in various types, such as shell-and-tube, plate, or stacked plate designs, depending on the cooling needs and space constraints. Their construction materials—often including copper-nickel, stainless steel, or titanium—are selected for corrosion resistance in harsh marine environments.