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Originally Posted by JCL
We have different definitions here. Here is mine:
An aftercooler is between the compressor and the engine inlet (after the compressor). An intercooler, correctly named, is between multiple stages of compressors. It is a label that has been inappropriately applied to aftercoolers for some years now, so it is a bit of a moot point. The best correct examples in recent history are industrial diesel engines, in particular the DDEC 2 stroke models that had both turbochargers and superchargers. Those engines had intercoolers between the two compressors, and aftercoolers after the second compressor. We now have modern multi-stage compressors on heavy duty diesels, ie Cat series-compound turbochargers.
Both intercoolers and aftercoolers are examples of charge air coolers.
Both intercoolers and aftercoolers, which are just heat exchangers, can be either air to air, or air to liquid.
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Hi JCL,
You definitely confused me!And I have been fitting intercoolers in collaboration with Allardturboport.co.uk for over 20 years.So,unlike a lot of peolple,I have as much practical experience as theory and I could show you hundreds of installations I have carried out on Diesel and petrol cars.Doesnt make any sense when you say an intercooler,correctly named,is between multiple stages of compressors!My X5 has an intercooler and its between THE turbo and the inlet manifold,like ALL intercoolers are!
Maybe our definitions are similar!Its the American English that is different from the European or British!Over here,we hardly ever hear the term "aftercooler",its always "intercooler"!As you correctly stated ,this is just a heat exchanger and has a very simple job to do,which is to cool down the compressed air blown(charged) by a Turbo or a S/C.I am sure you agree with my earlier post to KirkX5, that a intercooled vehicle is able to run higher boost pressures than one without it!Although the terminology is not correct,here we refer to a "charge cooler " as an intercooler that is cooled by liquid(water) channels around it and it has its own water radiator+pump.
I have no experience with DDec 2-stroke industrial Diesel engines,that have both Turbo and S/chargers ,so I cannot comment!I do know,however, of recent diesel car that has two Turbos,one that works at low Rpms and then the other boosts in.This also "only has an intercooler and is called BMW 535D.The engine I hope we will be seeing in the new X5 Diesel!
Again I dont know what you mean by "multi- stage compressors"!We refer to this as VGT (Variable Geometry turbo),which are the Vanes in the Turbo's compressor that are opened gradually by a rod which is controlled by a solenoid monitoring vaccum/boost pressure.My X5 Diesel has this.
Definitions can get confusing!Here we simply install intercoolers in Turbo or S/c vehicles that dont have them or we fit a bigger intercooler or we add a second intercooler to the oem one.The charge cooler(intercooler also refrigerated by water) is more efficient at reducing intake temperatures than a simple intercooler,but is more expensive and we mostly fit it on cars running higher boost pressure or cars with little space to fit an intercooler.
I will gladly submit more pictures of our intercooler conversions upon request.