Keel Coolers | WEKA Marine

Engineered to cool

Keel coolers

A keel cooler is a closed circuit cooling system mounted externally on the vessel’s hull below the waterline. The concept of keel cooling is similar to the application of a radiator on a car. Engine coolant is circulated through the keel cooler, which transfers heat from the coolant before it returns to the engine. The keel cooler is in constant contact with seawater allowing the cooling system to efficiently transfer heat between the coolant and seawater.

The GRIDCOOLER – Keelcooler has continually evolved to meet the requirements of naval architects and the marine industry worldwide. Our team of craftsmen employ the latest technologies to enhance our manufacturing process. The result is a custom-designed GRIDCOOLER – Keelcooler that exceeds expectations.

Like the box coolers, a significant advantage of keel coolers is their ability to function without the need for an entire external water circuit, including sea water pumps, filters, valves, pipelines, and associated components. Since seawater serves as the cooling medium, our GRIDCOOLER – Keelcoolers are constructed using anti-corrosive materials, ensuring durability in marine environments. Furthermore, this heat exchanger type is virtually maintenance-free and can be tailored to meet specific operational conditions and temperature requirements.

In areas where biological fouling could pose a challenge, Weka offers specialized anti-fouling solutions to address these concerns. Our commitment to providing reliable and efficient cooling solutions in the maritime sector remains unwavering, backed by our wealth of experience and dedication to quality and performance.

FERNSTRUM GRIDCOOLERS – Keel Coolers

Applications

FERNSTRUM GRIDCOOLERS – Keel coolers stand out as the ideal choice for small and medium-sized vessels, catering to a wide array of ships including tugboats, barges, fishing boats, carriers, dredgers, supply vessels, ferries, ATB’s, landing crafts, Life boats. Keel coolers offer versatile temperature control solutions, serving various functions from cooling main engines, auxiliary engines, and bow thrusters to regulating air conditioning and hydraulic systems.

Our range of keel coolers provides flexibility in terms of size, shape, and configuration to meet specific cooling capacity requirements. The keel coolers are even capable to be curved to meets the hull of the vessel. FERNSTRUM GRIDCOOLERS based on years of dedication and engineering excellence to create these high-performance keel coolers.

This fuels our continuous efforts to enhance and optimize the mechanical design and thermal performance of our products, ensuring they meet the exacting demands of our valued customers, the evolving market, and classification societies globally.

Ensuring they meet the exacting demands

Marine Applications

Keel coolers are suitable for the following vessel types

Tugboats
Fishing boats
Barges
Construction vessels
Carrier vessels
Offshore vessels
Small & medium tankers
Cargo Ships
Carriers
Dredgers
Ferries
ATB
Barges
Landing Craft
Life Boats
Patrol Boats
Pilot Boats
Push Boats
Recreational Boats
Semi-Submersibles (ATV & ROV)

General keel cooler key benefits

Eliminates on-board raw water pumps
No need for Seawater Circuit, piping or strainers
Can operate in icy conditions, silt or polluted waters
Low maintenance
There is no sand & silt buildup
Low operational costs

Design Specifications

The Stacked GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler; When faced with limited space or larger cooling requirements, a stacked GRIDCOOLER® Keel Cooler reduces the footprint of the keel cooler while providing greater heat transfer. The design is ideal for cooling larger engines, reducing the number of units required, or fitting into an existing application in the case of repowering.

Angled Tube GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler; An angled tube GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler optimizes the heat transfer for side mounted zero knot or stationary applications. The design exploits the natural convection current created by the heat exchanger. The unique position and angle of the tubes are crafted to maximize the flow of raw water between the tubes. This configuration also resists the collection of silt and other debris from building up on the unit.

Additional Customization Options are also possible when including a keel cooler to your vessel. Bending and/or Twisting of Unit, Extended Nozzle(s), Mounting Foot Pad(s), Side Venting, Support Plates Available on the Top or Bottom of the Unit or Vented Stud(s) are possible.

Selection of Materials

Depending on your application and situation the Weka sales and engineering team will assist you in selecting your material for your situation.

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Maximize your cooling capacity
and support marine life!

Engineered to cool

Cooling Solutions

Our commitment to quality means you get a reliable, long-lasting cooling system from the pioneer of the rectangular tube keel cooler. Each marine heat exchanger is engineered to meet the requirements of your engine, vessel, and operating conditions. The GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler has continually evolved to meet the requirements of naval architects and the marine industry worldwide.