Oil Cooler
Heat Exchangers
1. Product Overview
The oil cooler is a heat exchanger that cools lubricating, hydraulic or process oil and holds the oil temperature within a specified range. The unit mainly consists of a shell, tube bundle, tubesheet, baffles, water chamber and end covers. Typical applications include steam turbine oil systems, large hydraulic power units, compressor lubrication systems and transformer oil cooling. Key features: high heat-transfer coefficient, rugged construction, high pressure resistance, reliable sealing and easy cleaning.
2. Working Principle
Hot oil enters through the shell-side inlet and sweeps across the tube bundle in a zigzag path directed by the baffles; cooling water enters through the tube-side inlet and flows inside the heat-exchange tubes. Heat from the oil passes through the tube wall into the cooling water: the cooled oil leaves via the shell-side outlet while the warmed water leaves via the tube-side outlet, giving indirect oil-to-water heat transfer.
3. System Classification
By construction:
Shell-and-tube oil cooler: conventional design with water inside the tubes and oil on the shell side; high pressure resistance — for turbine and compressor lube-oil cooling
Plate oil cooler: stacked corrugated plates, compact footprint and very high thermal efficiency — for hydraulic systems and space-constrained installations
Air-cooled oil cooler: finned tubes with fan-driven airflow, no cooling water required — for water-scarce sites and mobile hydraulic equipment
4. Detailed Technical Parameters
4.1 Common Materials
| Material | Suitable Media | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel 20# | General lube oil, non-corrosive oils | Basic configuration, low cost |
| Copper / Brass | Lube oil, transformer oil | Excellent thermal conductivity, the traditional first choice |
| 304 Stainless Steel | Hydraulic oil, mildly corrosive oils | Corrosion-resistant, long life, food-grade optional |
| Titanium TA2 | Seawater cooling conditions | Extreme seawater corrosion resistance |
4.2 Typical Specifications
| Heat Transfer Area (m²) | Oil Flow Rate (L/min) | Cooling Water Flow (t/h) | Tube Specification | Oil Temp Drop (℃) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5～20 | 50～200 | 5～15 | Φ19×1.5 / Φ16×1.5 | 10～15 |
| 20～80 | 200～800 | 15～50 | Φ19×1.5 / Φ25×2 | 10～15 |
| 80～200 | 800～2000 | 50～150 | Φ25×2 / Φ32×2 | 10～15 |
4.3 Design Conditions & Performance
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Design Oil Temp | Inlet usually 40～55℃, Outlet 35～45℃ |
| Design Water Pressure | 0.6～1.6MPa (Tube side) |
| Design Oil Pressure | 0.6～1.0MPa (Shell side) |
| Oil-side Pressure Drop | ≤0.05MPa |
5. Electrical Parameters
| Region | Voltage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| China/Russia/Central Asia | 380V | 50Hz |
| Middle East/Southeast Asia/Africa | 400V / 415V | 50Hz |
| South Korea | 380V | 60Hz |
| Americas (if required) | 440V / 480V | 60Hz |
| Note: Shell and tube oil coolers consume no power; electrical parameters apply only to temperature/pressure sensors or air-cooled oil cooler fan motors. |
6. Core Component Selection
| Component | Brand/Material | Features & Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Exchange Tube | Fabricated in-house | Copper or 304 SS, dia. Φ14～Φ32, high-efficiency heat transfer |
| Tubesheet | Fabricated in-house | Carbon steel or SS, roller-expanded or welded joints |
| Baffles | Fabricated in-house | Segmental or ring-disk type, directs oil flow to improve heat transfer |
| Seals | GB standard | Rubber/PTFE gaskets, oil- and temperature-resistant |
7. Typical Application Fields
Power generation: steam turbine lube-oil cooling
Machinery: large hydraulic power units and press hydraulic-oil cooling
Chemical: lube-oil cooling for compressors and gear reducers
Power transmission: transformer insulating-oil cooling
8. Design Standards & Certifications
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| GB 150-2011 | Pressure Vessels |
| JB/T 7356-2005 | Tubular oil coolers |
| GB/T 15386-1994 | Air-cooled heat exchangers (for air-cooled type) |
| CE / EAC / GOST-R | Available upon request for international orders |
9. Custom Optional Configurations
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Tube Material | Red brass/Copper/304/316L/Titanium |
| Connection Type | Flange/Threaded/Welded |
| Bypass Valve Group | Built-in or external temperature-control bypass valve for constant oil temperature |
| Anti-corrosion Coating | Anti-rust paint on shell exterior / Marine heavy-duty coating |
10. Warranty Terms
| Equipment Status | Warranty Period | Warranty Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Brand New | 12 months | Shell structure, tube bundle heat transfer performance, tubesheet seal |
| Refurbished | 6 months | Shell structure, tube bundle heat transfer performance, tubesheet seal |
| Idle | 3 months | Main functional components |
11. Packaging & Delivery
| Item | Packaging Method |
|---|---|
| Shell / Tube Bundle | Fully enclosed wooden case, bottom pallet |
| Instruments / Valves | Waterproof sealed packaging in wooden cases |
| Fins / Air-cooled Units | Bubble wrap + wooden case protection, anti-crush |
| Shipped by container. On-site installation guidance available. |
12. Information Required for Inquiry
12. Information Required for Quotation Please specify: type of oil to be cooled (lube, hydraulic or insulating), oil flow rate, inlet oil temperature and required outlet temperature; cooling medium (water or air), cooling-water inlet temperature and available flow; installation space limits; whether a temperature-control bypass valve is needed; preferred equipment condition (new, refurbished or idle); delivery terms (FOB/CIF/DDP); and destination port.