Decoding natural draft and winds

The only outdoor test rig at our Research & Technology Center (RTC) is the Air-cooled Unit (ACU). This one-of-a-kind, research-scale air-cooled heat exchanger is exposed to real-world environmental conditions, including wind and temperature variations encountered by industrial air coolers. One of its unique capabilities is operation in natural draft mode with an induced-draft geometry.

We are using the ACU to study how ambient conditions affect natural draft performance. A key component of this research is visualizing the plume exiting the unit, which provides an important baseline for understanding airflow behavior. To support this effort, we have collected experimental data from a wide array of sensors located throughout and around the ACU, allowing us to characterize the impact of wind on performance.

Completion of this work will help address the longstanding challenge of understanding and predicting wind effects on air-cooled heat exchanger performance.

Join us at our upcoming 2026 Global Conference & Industry Exhibition to learn more about our research on air-cooled heat exchangers. Don’t miss out on the diverse lineup of informative technical presentations, an interactive poster session, and valuable software demonstrations.