Condenser
Condenser
Condenser
Steam Turbine
Condenser
• Condenser refers here to the shell and tube heat exchanger installed
at the outlet of every steam turbine in Propulsion/Thermal power
stations generally. These condensers are heat exchangers which
convert steam from its gaseous to its liquid state, also known as
phase transition. In so doing, the latent heat of steam is given out
inside the condenser.
Why is it required?
• The steam turbine itself is a devise to convert the heat in steam to
mechanical power.
• The difference between the heat of steam per unit weight at the inlet to
turbine and the heat of steam per unit weight at the outlet to turbine
represents the heat given out (or heat drop) in the steam turbine which is
converted to mechanical power.
• The heat drop per unit weight of steam is also measured by the word
enthalpy drop.
• Therefore the more the conversion of heat per Kg of steam to mechanical
power in the turbine, the better is its performance or otherwise known as
efficiency.
Why is it required?
• By condensing the exhaust steam of turbine, the exhaust pressure is
brought down below atmospheric pressure from above atmospheric
pressure, increasing the steam pressure drop between inlet and
exhaust of steam turbine.
• This further reduction in exhaust pressure gives out more heat per
unit weight of steam input to the steam turbine, for conversion to
mechanical power.
• Most of the heat liberated due to condensing, i.e., latent heat of
steam, is carried away by circulating water inside the tubes.
Why is it required?
• For example, steam at 60.0 bar, 500.0°C has specific enthalpy 3422.2 kj/kg.
• If this steam were expanded to atmospheric pressure, 923.1 kj/kg would become
available for doing work, and 3422.2-923.1 = 2499.1 kj/kg would be thrown out in
the exhaust steam.
• If instead, the steam were expanded to the lowest practicable pressure, say 0.03
bar, 1381.2 kj/kg would become available for doing work, and 3422.2-1381.2 =
2041.0 kj/kg would be thrown out in the exhaust.
• we increase the work obtainable from each 1.0 kg of steam by 49.6 per cent, and
reduce the heat thrown out by 18.33 per cent.
Types of Condensers
• The steam condensers are broadly classified into two types:
This steam then flows up between the tubes and meets the condensate from
the main part of the exhaust, dripping from the tubes. The undercooled
condensate falls through this steam atmosphere and heat transfer occurs,
resulting in negligible undercooling in the final condensate.