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The types of marine condensers

Release time:

2025-07-09

The types of marine condensers can be classified from three dimensions: structural form, cooling medium, and installation method. The following are the specific descriptions:

I. Classification by Structural Form

Shell-and-tube Condenser

Characteristics: A cylindrical shell encloses copper or titanium alloy tubes. Seawater flows through the tube side, and the refrigerant flows through the shell side.
Application scenarios: Cooling of main propulsion systems and large refrigerated ships.
Advantages: High pressure resistance (＞3.5 MPa) and a long maintenance cycle (＞8000 hours).

Plate Condenser

Characteristics: Corrugated plates are stacked and welded, and the refrigerant and cooling water exchange heat in a counter - flow manner.
Application scenarios: Air - conditioning systems in passenger cabins and refrigeration systems of lifeboats.
Advantages: 40% smaller in volume than shell - and - tube condensers and 2 - 3 times higher in heat transfer coefficient.

Double - pipe Condenser

Characteristics: It has a concentric double - pipe structure. Seawater flows in the outer pipe, and the refrigerant flows in the inner pipe.
Application scenarios: Refrigeration units of small fishing boats.
Advantages: Strong vibration resistance, suitable for high - salinity waters.

II. Classification by Cooling Medium

Water - cooled

Seawater cooling: It is necessary to configure filters and anti - biological pollution devices.
Freshwater cooling: It is a closed - loop circulation system and requires an additional plate heat exchanger.

Air - cooled

Characteristics: Heat is dissipated through forced convection by a fan.
Applicable scenarios: Cooling of deck equipment on offshore engineering ships.
Limitations: The refrigeration efficiency decreases by about 25% in tropical waters.

III. Classification by Installation Method

Vertical Condenser

It is installed vertically, which saves deck space, but requires strengthened bottom support.

Horizontal Condenser

It is installed horizontally, which facilitates pipeline connection and requires regular venting of accumulated gas.

Special Types

Combined Condensing Evaporator: It integrates the functions of refrigerant condensation and fresh water production and is used on ocean - going ships.
High - pressure - resistant Deep - diving Type: It is made of titanium alloy and can work at a pressure of up to 10 MPa, used on scientific research ships.

Selection suggestions:

For ocean - going ships, shell - and - tube condensers are preferred (strong corrosion resistance).
For small coastal ships, plate condensers can be considered (easy maintenance).
In areas with a shortage of fresh water, evaporative condensers are recommended (saving more than 90% of water).