Shell And Tube Condenser For Steam Turbine | Maintain Vacuum For Thermal & Nuclear Power Plants
Shell and tube condenser is one of the core critical equipment widely deployed in thermal power plants and nuclear power stations. It is installed underneath the exhaust outlet of steam turbines, dedicated to condensing low-pressure waste exhaust steam after power generation work. The equipment converts steam into clean condensed water for cyclic reuse, and continuously maintains stable vacuum inside the turbine system to boost overall power generation efficiency.
Working Principle
Low-temperature cooling water circulates inside the heat transfer tube bundle, while large-volume low-pressure exhaust steam from the turbine flows over the outer surface of tubes. Heat transfers through tube walls, and the exhaust steam releases latent heat to condense into liquid condensate.
As steam turns into water, the specific volume shrinks sharply, forming a high-vacuum environment within the condenser shell. This lowers turbine exhaust back pressure, reduces energy loss of steam expansion, and allows the turbine to generate more electricity with the same steam consumption. The collected condensed water is sent back to the boiler as feedwater to realize closed water recycling. Non-condensable gases are extracted by vacuum pumps to guarantee lasting stable vacuum degree.
Core Functions
Condense turbine waste low-pressure steam into condensate for boiler cyclic reuse
Create and sustain high vacuum to improve turbine power output and unit thermal efficiency
Recycle high-purity condensed water to reduce water consumption of power stations
Separate non-condensable gas to avoid heat transfer efficiency attenuation
Protect turbine unit from excessive back pressure and abnormal vibration
Key Structural & Material Features
Large-diameter heavy-duty pressure shell, designed to withstand long-term vacuum alternating load
Optional anti-corrosion tube bundles: copper-nickel alloy, 304/316L stainless steel, titanium tubes for coastal power plants
Optimized tube bundle layout and flow baffles to achieve uniform steam distribution and high heat exchange efficiency
Drawable tube bundle design for convenient offline cleaning, descaling and maintenance
Complete vacuum tightness test and hydraulic pressure test before factory delivery
Fully compliant with thermal power and nuclear power industry design standards
Application Scenarios
Coal-fired thermal power generating units
Combined cycle power stations
Nuclear power plant secondary circuit cooling systems
Industrial self-provided steam turbine power plants
Waste heat recovery power generation projects equipped with steam turbines
Core Advantages
Stable vacuum performance greatly improves unit power generation efficiency and cuts fuel consumption
Closed condensate recovery system minimizes raw water intake and plant operating costs
Corrosion-resistant tube materials adapt to river water, circulating water and seawater cooling conditions
Low failure rate, supports 24/7 long-cycle continuous operation of power units
Customized cooling capacity and structural size matching small, medium and large turbine sets
