USCG Exam PracticeBoiler and steam propulsion fundamentals
In a steam propulsion plant operating on the Rankine cycle, what thermodynamic benefit does condensing the exhaust steam in the main condenser provide to the main engine?
- A. It superheats the steam before it reaches the turbine blades
- ✓ It produces a vacuum that allows the engine to extract significantly more work from the steamCorrect
- C. It removes dissolved oxygen from the condensate to prevent corrosion
- D. It raises the pressure of the condensate to boiler operating pressure
Why B is correct
NAVEDTRA 14104 §3-1 states that condensing the exhaust steam produces a vacuum that lets the engine extract far more work from the steam. Superheating occurs in the boiler superheater; dissolved oxygen removal is the deaerator's function; raising condensate to boiler pressure is done by the feed pumps.
Cited:NAVEDTRA 14104 §3-1