PT Vale Indonesia Tbk has a compressed air system operated under the Utilities Department. There are 14 units of centrifugal compressor supplying the process plant with a total compressed air of 32,000-35,000 SCFM with a pressure of about 5.5-6.5 kg / cm2. The compressed air output from the compressor has a very high temperature reaching 42°C-45°C causing the air dryer cannot work optimally. The maximum dew point that can be reached by the air dryer is 10°C while based on the ISO 8573 dew point standard for air instrument is 3°C, so the quality is considered below par. In a certain period of time, there could be a failure to operational due to the high level of air wetness. High moisture in the air would corrode the metal parts of automation equipment. So to achieve the standard of dew point 3°C, compressor output temperature needs to be lowered to at least 38°C. The aim of this research is how to decrease compressor output temperature by installing an aftercooler shell-and-tube heat exchanger type. This type is chosen based on it is commonly used in chemical industry, power plant, etc., other than that it has strong construction, have good operating reliability, and easy maintenance. Aftercooler design process will be done through the process of using HTRI software so it is expected to produce heat exchanger design with good efficiency. With aftercooler installation, it is expected that the compressor output before entering the air dryer can reach 38°C so that the 3°C dew point at the air dryer is expected to be achieved, and better compressed air quality can be obtained.

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