Dumb question: what does a steam condenser do?

Subnuts · 09-23-06, 03:55 PM

Okay gearheads, I've got a nagging question. What exactly does a steam condenser do? In my Anatomy of the Ship book on the Agassiz, the condenser is shown as a 13 by 4 foot cylindrical structure that's mounted on the right side of the reciprocating engine. At the front and back of the condenser are 30-inch diameter pipes that go from the front and back of the engine's cover and into the condenser. At the front of the condenser is another pipe that leads to the seawater discharger on the engine room's side.

It's been annoying me for a long that I still don't know what that thing does. It's obviously an important piece of machinery, but I'm just not getting it. If anyone knows, I'll be eternally grateful.

09-23-06, 03:55 PM	#1
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Dumb question: what does a steam condenser do? Okay gearheads, I've got a nagging question. What exactly does a steam condenser do? In my Anatomy of the Ship book on the Agassiz, the condenser is shown as a 13 by 4 foot cylindrical structure that's mounted on the right side of the reciprocating engine. At the front and back of the condenser are 30-inch diameter pipes that go from the front and back of the engine's cover and into the condenser. At the front of the condenser is another pipe that leads to the seawater discharger on the engine room's side. It's been annoying me for a long that I still don't know what that thing does. It's obviously an important piece of machinery, but I'm just not getting it. If anyone knows, I'll be eternally grateful. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews