Condensers in Heat Exchangers

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What is the main purpose of the condenser in a steam cycle power plant?

To generate steam for the turbine

To cool the exhaust steam from the turbine

To extract maximum work from the steam

To transfer the latent heat from the steam to cooling water (correct)

Why must the condenser maintain a vacuum during the steam cycle?

To avoid overheating of the cooling water

To extract additional work from the steam

To prevent contamination of the condensate

To increase the efficiency of the turbine (correct)

What is a disadvantage of contact condensers in steam cycle power plants?

They decrease the efficiency of the turbine

They require additional fuel to operate

They generate excessive noise pollution

They need chemical treatment of cooling water (correct)

How does adding a condenser affect the efficiency of a turbine in a power plant?

It increases the efficiency by 50% Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of extraction pumps in a steam cycle power plant?

To remove air and non-condensable gases from the condenser Signup and view all the answers

Why are surface condensers more common than contact condensers in power plants?

They do not need chemical treatment of cooling water Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a condenser in a steam power plant?

To improve the overall efficiency of the plant Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a condenser in refrigeration systems?

To convert hot refrigerant gas to liquid Signup and view all the answers

How does a condenser help reduce backpressure on steam turbines?

By maintaining a vacuum at the turbine exhaust Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a condenser in recovering steam and converting it to condensate?

To recover steam and convert it to condensate for re-use as boiler feedwater Signup and view all the answers

Why is it more beneficial for a steam turbine to exhaust into a vacuum rather than against backpressure?

Because it allows the turbine to recover more of the heat energy from the steam Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the condenser act like a deaerator?

By removing air and other non-condensable gases from the steam/condensate Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a surface condenser in a steam turbine system?

To remove heat from the steam by using tubes and cooling water Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a cooling tower in a steam turbine system with a reusable supply of cooling water?

To remove heat from the cooling water using water sprays and evaporation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the cooling water after it gains heat in the condenser of a steam turbine system?

It is reintroduced to the body of water downstream of the water intake Signup and view all the answers

Why must the temperature rise of cooling water be limited before it is reintroduced to the body of water?

To avoid ecological problems such as high algae or bacterial counts, or water that is too warm for native fish Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the “hot” cooling water outlet from the condenser in a system with a cooling tower?

It passes through the cooling tower to remove heat Signup and view all the answers

How does a reusable supply of cooling water get cooled after absorbing heat in a condenser?

By passing through a cooling tower that removes heat using water sprays and evaporation Signup and view all the answers

What is located at the exhaust of a steam turbine in relation to a surface condenser?

Surface Condenser Signup and view all the answers

What is used as the heat transfer surface in a water-cooled condenser?

Tubes located in the condenser shell Signup and view all the answers