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What is condenser? What are the types of condenser?

 

What is Condenser?

It is a mechanical device which is used to condense the exhaust steam.

 

What is steam condenser?

Steam condenser is a device in which the exhaust steam is condensed by means of cooling water.

 

What is the function of steam condenser?

The main purpose of a steam condenser in thermal power plant is to maintain a low back pressure on the exhaust side of the steam turbine.

 

What are the elements of steam condenser?

 


 

  • Condenser pump
  • Air extraction pump
  • Boiler Feed water pump
  • Cooling water pump

 

Explanation of steam condenser

Condensate pump

Condensate pump extracts the condensate from condenser to the hot well.

Air extraction pump

It separates the air and non condensate gases from condenser.

Non condensation gases sent to the atmosphere.

Boiler Feed water pump

It feeds water to the boiler from hot well.

Cooling water pump

The cooling water circulated by the cooling water pump from reservoir to condenser.

Cooling tower

  • In condenser the cooling water condense the steam by absorbing the heat from steam.
  • The heat absorbed by the cooling water is dissipated to atmospheric air in cooling tower.
  • In cooling tower cooling water is sprayed though the nozzle in the form of droplets.
  • Due to the contact between water droplet and air, the heat is dissipated to the air.
  • The cooled water is collected at the bottom of cooling tower

 

What are the advantages of steam condenser?

  • It reduces the temperature of exhaust steam.
  • It increases the efficiency of the plant.
  • It increase the work output from the turbine.
  • It increase the expansion ratio of steam in turbine.

 

How to classify steam condenser?

 


Jet condenser (Low level)

 


  • According to the flow of water and steam, jet condenser is classified into two types.
  • They are parallel flow and counter flow.
  • The cooling water is supplied from the top of the condenser.
  • So that the water is flows in downward direction through the perforated tray.
  • Steam is supplied to the bottom of the condenser as shown in figure.
  • So that, it flows in upward direction.
  • Steam gets condensed while it comes in contact with the water.
  • The baffle plate ensures the proper mixing of the steam and cooling water.
  • Condensate extraction pump extracts the condensate and fed into the hot well.
  • At the top of the jet condenser, air extraction pump removes the air and also maintains vacuum in the condenser.

 

Jet condenser (High level)

 

  • Condensate extraction pump is not required for this type of jet condenser.
  • Condenser is placed at a height of 10.34 m above hot well.
  • The water column in the tail pipe forces the condensate to fall due to gravity.
  • Exhaust steam is passed in the bottom of the condenser.
  • Cooling water is passed at the top.
  • The baffle plate ensures the proper mixing of the steam and cooling water.
  • Condensate falls into the hot well by the gravitational force through the tail pipe.
  • At the top of the jet condenser, air extraction pump removes the air and also maintains vacuum in the condenser.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of jet condenser?

 


 

Surface condenser

  • In surface condenser, there is no physical contact between exhaust steam and cooling water.
  • They are separated by means of smaller tubes. Eg- Shell and tube heat exchanger. So that the condensate can be reused.
  • It can be classified into four types, they are
  1. Down flow surface condenser.
  2. Central flow surface condenser.
  3. Regenerative surface condenser.
  4. Evaporative surface condenser.

 

Down flow steam condenser


 

  • This condenser employs number of brass tubes.
  • Exhaust gas enters at the top and flows downwards over the brass tubes.
  • Baffle plate divides the water into two sections. So that the cooling water is double passed.
  • The cold water flows in lower side first & then in upper side in the reverse direction, which enables the maximum heat transfer.

 

Central flow steam condenser


 

  • This condenser consists of volute casing.
  • Air pump is located at the center of the tubes.
  • It extracts steam flows radially inward.
  • Steam flows to the entire periphery of tubes.
  • So that the large surface area for the heat transfer is available.

 

Evaporative condenser


 

  • The evaporation of cooling water provides the cooling effect.
  • Steam is passed into the grilled pipes.
  • Cooling water is passed by the circulating water pump.
  • Cooling water gets evaporated by absorbing heat from the steam and it is carried away along with the air.
  • Condensate is collected in collecting tank.
 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of surface condenser? 

 


 

Differentiate jet condenser and surface condenser.

 



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