Difference Between Air Cooled and Water Cooled Condenser

Air-cooled condenser

Water-cooled condenser

Condensing medium used - air

Condensing medium used - water

Simple construction. Initial cost as well as the maintenance cost is very low

Complicated construction. Initial cost and maintenance cost is high

The hot air can easily dispose

Problem of disposal used water ( unless there is a recirculation system)

No handling problem

Water cooled condenser are difficult to handle

Air process low thermal conductivity and condenser capacity of air cooled system is very low

High thermal conductivity of water favours high heat transfer capacity

No corrosion due to air.

Higher chance of fouling effect. Water cause corrosion of condenser tubes.

Do not require sophisticated piping arrangement for carrying the air

Piping arrangement is required for carrying water.

Air cooled condenser are used low capacity operation

The water cooled condensing used for large capacity plants.

It requires more power for circulation of air and high power fans are noisy.

It requires less power to the circulation on water