AFWF Transformer Coolers

Efficient cooling for demanding transformer applications

AFWF transformer coolers combine a closed, forced-air circuit with water cooling to provide effective heat dissipation for dry-type transformers. They are particularly suited to higher ratings, space-constrained installations, demanding environments, and applications where conventional ambient-air cooling cannot provide the required thermal performance.

Typical applications

AFWF cooling is well suited to applications where reliable thermal performance, environmental protection, compact integration, or reduced dependence on ambient air is important:

- Marine and offshore installations
- Mining and other dusty or contaminated environments
- Data centers
- Power and industrial infrastructure
- Renewable energy and utility applications
- Enclosed transformer installations

When conventional air cooling is not enough

As transformer ratings increase, removing heat with ambient air alone can require larger fans and greater airflow, increasing space requirements, fan power and acoustic noise. AFWF cooling transfers heat from the transformer’s recirculating internal air to a water circuit, providing greater heat-rejection capability with less reliance on the surrounding air.

Conventional air cooling vs. AFWF cooling

What Vestas aircoil offers
Vestas aircoil develops and manufactures tailored AFWF cooling solutions engineered around the transformer’s heat load, airflow requirements, water conditions, installation envelope and operating environment. Coolers are available in different sizes, configurations and orientations to support integration into new transformer designs as well as application-specific installations.

Completely enclosed cooling
The transformer air can circulate in a closed internal circuit through the cooler without exchanging air with the surrounding environment. This helps protect windings and other critical components from dust, moisture, salt and airborne contaminants, making the solution particularly attractive for marine, offshore, mining and other harsh environments.

Double-tube safety option
For applications where water ingress cannot be tolerated, Vestas aircoil can provide a double-tube design using two concentric tubes separated by an annular safety gap. This provides an additional barrier between the cooling water and the transformer air circuit and allows leakage to be directed toward a detection point before water can reach sensitive equipment.

Flexible, application-specific integration
The cooler can be adapted to the transformer layout, available installation space, required orientation, airflow path and water connections. This flexibility supports compact transformer designs and can help OEMs achieve the required thermal performance without relying on excessive airflow.

Global manufacturing and support
Vestas aircoil can support customers through its manufacturing footprint in Europe, Asia and the United States,
providing flexibility for regional sourcing and global transformer programs.

Key benefits

- Environmental protection: Closed-loop air circulation helps isolate the transformer from harsh or contaminated surroundings
- Compact, high-performance cooling: Effective air-to-water heat transfer supports demanding
heat loads where space and airflow are constrained.
- Transformer reliability: Controlled and more uniform operating temperatures can
reduce thermal stress on insulation and support long service life.
- Enhanced water-side safety: An optional double-tube construction provides additional
protection for applications where water ingress is unacceptable.
- Design flexibility: Multiple sizes, configurations and orientations enable integration
into a wide range of transformer platforms and installations.

​​​​​

Contact us

Do you need a tailored cooling solution for a dry-type transformer? Contact Vestas aircoil to discuss your transformer design, operating conditions, installation constraints and cooling requirements.