Surface Steam Condenser

Surface steam condensers are a type of heat exchanger used in steam power plants to condense exhaust steam from the turbine back into water. They are part of the supply class Heat Exchangers And Steam Condensers in the supply group Furnace, Steam Plant, And Drying Equipment; And Nuclear Reactors.

Surface steam condensers consist of a large number of tubes arranged in a bundle. The exhaust steam from the turbine is passed through these tubes, while cooling water flows on the outside of the tubes. As the steam comes into contact with the cooler tubes, it condenses back into water, releasing its latent heat. The cooling water absorbs this heat and is then discharged from the condenser.

The condensed water is collected at the bottom of the condenser and is usually sent back to the boiler to be converted into steam again. This process helps to maximize the efficiency of the steam power plant by recycling the water and reducing the need for fresh water intake.

Surface steam condensers are commonly used in fossil fuel power plants, nuclear power plants, and other steam-based industrial processes. They play a crucial role in the overall efficiency and performance of these systems by providing a means to recover and reuse the condensate.

In summary, surface steam condensers are heat exchangers that condense exhaust steam from a turbine back into water, using cooling water on the outside of tubes. They are an important component of steam power plants and other steam-based industrial processes.