Intercoolers

An intercooler or intercoolers, is a mechanical device/s used to cool fluids, which include liquids or gasses, in between phases of a multi-stage heating process. It is usually a heat exchanger that removes waste heat in a gas compressor. Intercoolers go hand in hand with turbochargers in vehicles. It also increases the performance of the induction system by lowering down the induction air heat made by the turbocharger promoting efficient combustion.

There are two main types of intercoolers. These are the Air to Air intercoolers and the Air to Liquid intercoolers. In automobiles, it comes in three basic styles namely: Front mounted intercoolers, Side mounted intercoolers and Top mounted intercoolers. Aside from automobiles, intercoolers are also used in equipment and appliances such as air compressors, air conditioners, gas turbines, and refrigerators. It also comes in different sizes, shapes, and designs depending on the space requirements and performance of the whole supercharger system.

Aside from allowing large volumes of air to be admitted to an engine, intercoolers play the primary role of controlling the internal temperatures in a turbocharged engine. One will know if an intercooler is efficient if it allows higher power outputs to be achieved without damaging the induction system due to heat build-up via the turbocharger. There have been issues in the past concerning the terminology between intercoolers, aftercoolers, and charge-air coolers. In general, a charge-air cooler is a term coined to state the cooling of the turbo’s air charge before it enters the engine; an intercooler is an air cooler positioned between the first and second stage compressors, while an aftercooler is positioned after the second stage, which is the final compressor stage.