Vibration problems occurred in an air cooled heat exchanger with axial flow fan for a petrochemical plant were investigated. Experimental field test and theoretical verification were performed. To find the main cause of the high vibration of the fan at the air inlet of the axial fan, the frequency spectrum was measured. The natural frequency of the driving support of the heat exchanger was numerically calculated. Both of the measured and the natural frequency were approximately equal to the blade passing frequency. Because it was difficult to modify the structure of the driving support during the normal operation of the plant, the blade number of the fan was increased, which greatly reduced the vibration level of the heat exchanger.
