ABYC Diesel Practice Exam

What component is crucial for transferring heat from engine coolant to seawater in a closed cooling system?

1. Radiator

2. Heat exchanger

3. Oil cooler

4. Water pump

The correct answer is: Heat exchanger

In a closed cooling system, the component that plays a crucial role in transferring heat from engine coolant to seawater is the heat exchanger. This device allows for thermal energy to pass from one fluid (in this case, the engine coolant) to another fluid (the seawater) without the two fluids mixing. The heat exchanger operates by allowing hot coolant that has absorbed heat from the engine to flow through its tubes or channels. Seawater then circulates around these tubes, absorbing the heat from the coolant. This process efficiently reduces the temperature of the engine coolant, preventing the engine from overheating while simultaneously heating the seawater, which is then typically expelled back into the body of water. Understanding the function of a heat exchanger is critical in marine engineering, as it ensures optimal cooling of an engine, preserving its longevity and performance. Other components, such as radiators, oil coolers, and water pumps, have distinct roles in engine cooling systems but do not specifically perform the heat transfer from engine coolant to seawater as effectively as a heat exchanger.