🔍 Key Concepts

• Air-binding in seawater systems and how trapped air affects flow in a heat exchanger • Effect of cooler orientation (vertical vs. horizontal) on where air collects • Effect of cooler elevation relative to the waterline on the ability of air to escape or be purged

💭 Think About

• In which arrangement would any trapped air naturally rise to a point where it can be vented or carried away, rather than staying at the top and blocking flow? • How does placing the cooler below vs. above the waterline affect the system’s internal pressure and the tendency for air pockets to form? • Between vertical and horizontal arrangements, which one tends to have a continuous upward path for bubbles to move out instead of collecting in a high spot?

✅ Before You Answer

• Compare each choice for location relative to the waterline: which ones have more positive static pressure from seawater? • For each orientation, decide where air would likely collect and whether it can easily be pushed out by flowing water. • Eliminate any choice where it is easy to imagine a high point on the seawater side that could trap air and stay there.