Engineering · Steam — Condensate
A high vacuum in the main condenser is desirable because it:
- AIncreases the back pressure on the turbine
- BLowers the turbine exhaust pressure, increasing the heat drop and efficiency✓ Correct
- CRaises the condensate temperature
- DReduces the cooling water requirement
Explanation
A higher condenser vacuum (lower absolute exhaust pressure) increases the available enthalpy drop across the turbine, extracting more work from each pound of steam and improving plant efficiency.
Authority: Steam Plants (USCG engineering topic)
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