In Short
A heating module is the pump and control unit of an engine remote cooling circuit, mounted on a skid frame and delivered assembled and tested. It moves the coolant and keeps it at the right temperature between a gas engine set and its radiator, which is why the module and the radiator belong together.
Between a gas engine generator set and its remote radiator runs the circuit that moves the coolant and keeps it at the right temperature. The heating module carries the pumps, valves, expansion vessel and instruments of that circuit on one skid frame, so the engine cooling system is delivered as one assembled and tested unit. This guide explains what a heating module does, what sits on its skid frame and why the module and the radiator belong together.
What a Heating Module Does
A gas engine usually has two cooling circuits: a high-temperature (HT) circuit for the engine jacket and a low-temperature (LT) circuit for the charge air. The heating module circulates the coolant of each circuit between the engine and the radiator and sees to it that the engine receives the water at the temperature its maker asks for.
While the engine is cold after a start, the module keeps the coolant away from the radiator, so the engine warms up quickly - which is where the module takes its name. Once the engine is warm, it lets as much coolant through the radiator as the load needs, so the engine temperature stays steady in every season.
What Sits on the Skid Frame
Besides the pumps, the skid carries the valves that control the coolant temperature, the expansion vessel and the safety equipment of the circuit, and the instruments that show its state. Where the engine circuit has to be kept apart from another circuit, a heat exchanger can be added on the same frame.
Why a Skid Frame
A skid frame is a welded steel base that carries all parts of the module as one unit. Everything is assembled, piped, wired and pressure tested in the factory, so on site the skid is lifted into place and connected to the engine, the radiator and the power supply.
Building the module as a skid saves time on site, keeps the quality of the pipework under factory control and makes the unit easy to place inside a generator container, in an engine room or next to the set.
Designed Together With the Radiator
The heating module and the remote radiator form one cooling system, so they are designed as a pair. A module chosen without regard to the radiator, or a radiator chosen without regard to the module, can leave the engine running too warm or too cold.
AXON supplies heating modules on skid frames for gas engine generator sets of any make, together with the radiators of its group company TECS Engineering or for an existing radiator, alone or as part of a container or power plant package. Each module is matched to the engine, the radiator and the site. Send the engine data and the site conditions, and AXON prepares the proposal.
What a heating module skid usually carries
- Pumps for the engine cooling circuits
- Valves that control the coolant temperature
- Expansion vessel and safety equipment
- Instruments that show the state of the circuit
- Heat exchanger where the circuits must be kept apart
- Piping on one steel skid frame
What to send with an enquiry
- Engine model and the number of engines
- Engine data for the HT and LT circuits
- Radiator data, or a radiator to be supplied with the module
- Coolant and its glycol content
- Pipe route between the engine, the module and the radiator
- Container, engine room or open installation, and the site conditions
Questions we are often asked
What is an engine heating module?
A skid that carries the pumps, valves and instruments of the engine cooling circuit between the engine and its remote radiator.
Why is it called a heating module?
Because it lets the engine warm up quickly: while the engine is cold, the coolant is kept away from the radiator, and only when the engine is warm does it flow through the radiator.
What is a skid frame?
A welded steel base on which all parts of the module are mounted, piped and tested in the factory, so the module is installed on site as one unit.
Does a heating module replace the radiator?
No. The radiator gives the heat to the air; the heating module moves the coolant and controls its temperature. The two are designed together.
Can one heating module serve both the LT and the HT circuit?
Yes. Both circuits can sit on one skid frame, each with its own equipment and connections.
Products
- Engine Heating Module and Skid Frame
- TECS Radiators for Generator Sets
- Containers for Power Generators