A seawater leak is discovered in the main condenser tubes. Beyond the immediate loss of vacuum, what is the most serious long-term consequence if the leak is not corrected?

1. A. The increased seawater flow raises the log-mean temperature difference, overloading the turbine.
2. ✓ Salt carried into the boiler with the contaminated condensate causes scale and corrosion.Correct
3. C. Chlorides lower the latent heat of vaporization of the steam, reducing cycle efficiency.
4. D. The non-condensable gases introduced by seawater increase entropy in the Rankine cycle.