ABSTRACT
Basic thermodynamics dictate that a heat engine cycle’s lowest, i.e., heat sink temperature is as important as its highest, i.e., heat source temperature to achieve the best possible thermal efficiency. The heat sink for a gas turbine combined cycle is either the ambient air or an ambient water body (i.e., lake, river or ocean). The intermediary between the heat ejection (i.e., the steam turbine exhaust) and the heat sink is the steam turbine condenser. Depending on the site ambient conditions and the prevailing environmental regulations, the condenser may be assisted by a cooling tower. This chapter covers the basic types and thermodynamic principles of steam condensers and cooling towers from a second law (of thermodynamics) perspective. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate simplified design, off-design and optimization principles.
