Marine Heat Exchanger

 Marine heat exchanger

Marine heat exchangers are the most common way to cool a boat's engine, using the lake, river or ocean water in which the boat floats. Since this water may be corrosive, the engine may be cooled by a sealed mixture of distilled water and antifreeze. Heat from the water–antifreeze mixture is then transferred to the ocean (or lake or river) water which flows into a heat exchanger. To protect the marine heat exchanger from corrosive salts, a sacrificial zinc anode is screwed into the heat exchanger. This anode must be periodically replaced as part of regular maintenance.

Because the water the boat floats in may be contaminated with floating particles such as wood or other detritus most boats will have a filter (often stainless steel mesh) to remove these particles before they flow through the heat exchanger. This filter must be periodically cleaned or else the flow of water to the heat exchanger will become obstructed and the engine will overheat.

There are three methods employed for water-cooled marine petrol and diesel engines they are

1. Direct cooling: Direct cooling of the cylinders and heads by sea-water is unsatisfactory, because the engine - which was probably originally designed for radiator cooling - will run too cold and the sea-water will eventually run the cylinder block and heads.
2. Heat Exchanger Cooling: Heat exchanger cooling is the most common method, the seawater being isolated in components which can be designed to withstand its corrosive effect. The closed fresh-water circuit can be thermostatically controlled so that the engine operates at its design temperature.
3. Keel Cooling: Keel cooling is suitable for small boats operating in shallow weedy water, but the need for pipe work external to the hull is a severe limitation.

Advantages of Marine Heat Exchangers

• Header tank heat exchangers prevent aeration of the engine water circuit.
• Gearbox oil and engine oil coolers are used on the suction side of the sea water pump.
• Heat exchangers and exhaust manifolds are used on the discharge side of the engine.
• Heat Exchangers use high-quality products incorporating both the best materials and the latest technical features that have become world known for building a Quality & reliable product.
• Find your engine and check out applicable Bowman fitted parts