The air cooler is referred to as an air cooler, with air as a coolant, and can be used as a cooler or as a condenser. The air cooler is mainly composed of a tube bundle, a bracket and a fan. The air cooler heat fluid flows inside the tube and the air blows outside the tube bundle. Because the amount of ventilation required for heat exchange is large, and the wind pressure is not high, an axial flow fan is often used (see fluid transfer machinery).

The type and material of the tube bundle have a great influence on the performance of the air cooler. Since the heat transfer coefficient on the air side is small, fins are often added outside the tube to increase the heat transfer area and fluid turbulence and reduce the thermal resistance. Most of the air coolers use radial fins. The air cooler usually uses a light pipe with an outer diameter of 25 mm, a low fin tube with a fin height of 12.5 mm, and a high fin tube with a fin height of 16 mm. The fins are typically made of a material with a high thermal conductivity (usually aluminum) that is wrapped or embedded in a light pipe. In order to enhance the heat transfer effect of the air cooler, water can be sprayed and humidified in the inlet air. This reduces both the air temperature and the heat transfer coefficient. The use of air coolers can save a lot of industrial water, reduce environmental pollution and reduce capital costs. Especially in areas with water shortages, replacing air cooling with air cooling can alleviate the contradiction of insufficient water supply.