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Difference between Jet condenser and Surface condenser

Difference between Jet condenser and Surface condenser

Definition of Condenser?

A condenser is device used for reducing gases to liquid or solid form. This device convert exhaust steam into water.

A jet condenser is a type of steam condenser where a jet of cold water is sprayed into the exhaust steam to condense it. The condensed water and the cooling water are then collected in a hot well, from where it is pumped back to the boiler for reuse. Jet condensers are commonly used in small-scale applications such as steam engines, locomotives, and small power plants.

On the other hand, a surface condenser is a type of steam condenser that uses a heat exchanger to condense the steam. In this type of condenser, the steam is passed through a series of tubes while a cooling fluid, typically water, flows over the outside of the tubes. This causes the steam to condense, and the resulting condensate is collected in a separate chamber. Surface condensers are commonly used in large-scale applications such as power plants, where high efficiency and reliability are critical.

Some other key differences between jet condensers and surface condensers include:

Jet condensers are typically less expensive to install and maintain than surface condensers.

Jet condensers are less efficient than surface condensers, meaning they require more cooling water to condense the same amount of steam.

Jet condensers are generally not suitable for use in applications where the condensed water needs to be reused, as the cooling water and the condensed steam are mixed together.

Surface condensers are more complex than jet condensers, requiring more components such as pumps, heat exchangers, and valves.

Types of condenser?

a) Jet condenser

A jet condenser is a type of steam condenser used in steam power plants to condense steam exiting from a turbine. The basic principle of a jet condenser is to use a jet of cooling water to condense the steam.

The jet condenser typically consists of a chamber called the condenser shell, a nozzle called the jet, and a pipe called the tailpipe. Steam from the turbine enters the condenser shell and mixes with the cooling water sprayed from the jet. The mixture of steam and cooling water is then forced through the tailpipe and discharged to a cooling pond or a cooling tower.

The condenser shell is typically made of cast iron or steel, while the jet and tailpipe are made of brass or bronze to resist corrosion. The cooling water can be obtained from a natural source, such as a river or lake, or from a cooling tower, which recirculates water through a heat exchanger.

The efficiency of a jet condenser is affected by several factors, including the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water, the pressure and flow rate of the steam, and the size and design of the condenser. In general, a larger condenser with a greater surface area will have a higher efficiency. Jet condensers are commonly used in steam power plants due to their simplicity, low cost, and reliability. However, they are less efficient than other types of condensers, such as surface condensers, which use a separate cooling water circuit to condense the steam.

b) Surface condenser

A surface condenser is a type of steam condenser used in steam power plants to condense steam exiting from a turbine. The basic principle of a surface condenser is to use a separate cooling water circuit to condense the steam.

The surface condenser typically consists of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, where steam from the turbine flows through the tubes and cooling water flows over the tubes in the shell. The cooling water absorbs the heat from the steam, causing the steam to condense into liquid form. The condensate is then collected in a hotwell and reused in the steam cycle. The tubes in the surface condenser are typically made of copper or a copper alloy, while the shell is made of steel. The cooling water can be obtained from a natural source, such as a river or lake, or from a cooling tower, which recirculates water through a heat exchanger.

The efficiency of a surface condenser is affected by several factors, including the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water, the pressure and flow rate of the steam, and the size and design of the condenser. In general, a larger condenser with a greater surface area will have a higher efficiency.

Surface condensers are commonly used in large steam power plants due to their higher efficiency compared to jet condensers. They are more complex and expensive than jet condensers, but they offer several advantages, including reduced water consumption, improved heat transfer, and lower maintenance requirements.

Difference between jet condenser and surface condenser?

Jet condenser	Surface condenser
1. Exhaust steam and cold water comes in directly contact.	1. Exhaust steam and cold water not come in direct contact.
2. Condensation of steam is due to mixing with coolant.	2. Condensation of steam is due to heat transfer by conduction and convection.
3. It is cheap.	3. It is costly.
4. Does not affect plant efficiency.	4. It improve plant efficiency.
5. Maintenance cost is low.	5. Maintenance cost is high.
6. Vacuum created is up to 600mm of Hg.	6. Vacuum created is upto 730 mm of Hg.
7. Condensate is not fit for use as boiler feed until the treated cooling water supplied.	7. Condensate is fit for reuse as boiler feed.

In this lecture we study the Definition of condenser, types of condenser, Difference between Jet condenser and Surface condenser hope you know well.

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