A charge air cooler (also known as an intercooler) is used to cool engine air after it has passed through a turbo charger, but before it enters the engine. The idea is to return the air to the optimum temperature for the combustion of the engine. It has been suggested that Front mounted intercooler, Top mounted intercooler and Charge cooler be merged into this article or section. ... Turbocharger Cut-away A turbocharger is a device used in internal-combustion engines to increase the power output of the engine by increasing the mass of oxygen and fuel entering the engine. ...

Charge air coolers range in size depending on the engine. The smallest are most often referred to as intercoolers and are attached to auto engines or truck engines. The largest are reserved for use on huge marine diesel engines and can weigh over 2 tonnes (see picture). It has been suggested that Front mounted intercooler, Top mounted intercooler and Charge cooler be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Marine diesel engine charge air coolers are manufactured in Europe still, despite the very largest engines mostly being built in the Far East. Vestas aircoil A/S and GEA are the oldest makers still in business.

The first marine diesel engine charge air cooler was built by Vestas aircoil A/S in 1956!

Gallery

4-stroke diesel engine coolers

Large 2-stroke engine cooler

Location of cooler on large diesel engine