What Information Is Required To Select Or Replace An Alstom Air Cooler?

To select or replace an Alstom air cooler for a generator, complete and accurate technical data are essential to ensure thermal performance, mechanical compatibility, and long-term reliability. The required information is typically grouped as follows:

1. Generator and Application Data

Generator manufacturer and model (Alstom type and series)

Generator rating (MW / MVA)

Application type (steam turbine generator, gas turbine generator, hydro generator)

Cooling system configuration (air–water cooled, closed-loop, number of coolers per generator)

Operating duty (base load, peak load, continuous or cyclic operation)

 

2. Thermal and Air-Side Parameters

Generator internal air flow rate (m³/h)

Air inlet temperature to the cooler

Required air outlet temperature

Allowable air-side pressure drop

Maximum permissible air temperature rise of stator and rotor

 

3. Water-Side Parameters

Cooling water type (demineralized, closed-loop, industrial water)

Water inlet temperature (design and maximum)

Water outlet temperature (target or allowable)

Water flow rate per cooler

Water-side design pressure and test pressure

Allowable water-side pressure drop

Water quality limits (chlorides, hardness, conductivity)

 

4. Mechanical and Dimensional Information

Overall cooler dimensions (L × W × H)

Tube bundle size and arrangement

Tube outer diameter, wall thickness, and material

Fin type, fin pitch, and fin material

Header type (welded / bolted / removable cover)

Inlet and outlet nozzle size, rating, and orientation

Mounting method and support points

 

5. Materials and Design Standards

Tube, fin, tube sheet, and casing materials

Corrosion allowance requirements

Applicable standards (Alstom specifications, ASME, EN, ISO)

Surface treatment or protective coatings (if required)

 

6. Installation and Interface Constraints

Space limitations inside the generator casing

Cooler orientation (horizontal or vertical)

Connection compatibility with existing pipework

Lifting points and maintenance access requirements

 

7. Performance and Compliance Requirements

Required heat duty (kW or MW)

Guarantee points for thermal performance

Leak tightness and acceptance criteria

Factory acceptance tests (hydro test, air pressure test, dimensional check)

 

8. Documentation for Reverse Engineering (if OEM drawings are unavailable)

Existing cooler nameplate data

Photos of the installed cooler and connections

Historical operating data (temperatures, pressures)

Known failure modes or improvement requirements