20 Questions
What is the main purpose of the condenser in a steam cycle power plant?
To transfer the latent heat from the steam to cooling water
Why must the condenser maintain a vacuum during the steam cycle?
To increase the efficiency of the turbine
What is a disadvantage of contact condensers in steam cycle power plants?
They need chemical treatment of cooling water
How does adding a condenser affect the efficiency of a turbine in a power plant?
It increases the efficiency by 50%
What is the role of extraction pumps in a steam cycle power plant?
To remove air and non-condensable gases from the condenser
Why are surface condensers more common than contact condensers in power plants?
They do not need chemical treatment of cooling water
What is the primary purpose of a condenser in a steam power plant?
To improve the overall efficiency of the plant
What is the function of a condenser in refrigeration systems?
To convert hot refrigerant gas to liquid
How does a condenser help reduce backpressure on steam turbines?
By maintaining a vacuum at the turbine exhaust
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
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
In what way does the condenser act like a deaerator?
By removing air and other non-condensable gases from the steam/condensate
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
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
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
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
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
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
What is located at the exhaust of a steam turbine in relation to a surface condenser?
Surface Condenser
What is used as the heat transfer surface in a water-cooled condenser?
Tubes located in the condenser shell
Test your knowledge about condensers, which are heat exchangers commonly used to convert steam into water for re-use, and in refrigeration systems to convert hot refrigerant gas to liquid. Learn about their role in reducing backpressure on steam turbines and extracting more energy from a steam plant.
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