The types of marine condensers

Release time:

2025-06-09

 

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).