<P> A surface condenser is a commonly used term for a water - cooled shell and tube heat exchanger installed on the exhaust steam from a steam turbine in thermal power stations . These condensers are heat exchangers which convert steam from its gaseous to its liquid state at a pressure below atmospheric pressure . Where cooling water is in short supply, an air - cooled condenser is often used . An air - cooled condenser is however, significantly more expensive and cannot achieve as low a steam turbine exhaust pressure (and temperature) as a water - cooled surface condenser . </P> <P> Surface condensers are also used in applications and industries other than the condensing of steam turbine exhaust in power plants . </P>

Why is a condenser used in a steam power station
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