What happens to steam in a condenser?

In a condenser, steam is cooled and subsequently condensed into water. The primary function of a condenser in a power plant or refrigeration system is to remove heat from the steam, causing it to change phase from gas to liquid. This process typically involves circulating cooling water through the condenser, which absorbs heat from the steam, reducing its temperature and enabling the steam to lose energy and transition into the liquid state.

This transformation is essential for maintaining efficient operation in thermodynamic cycles, such as the Rankine cycle used in power generation. By effectively condensing the steam back into water, the system can recycle this condensate back into the boiler, minimizing water waste and optimizing the energy cycle. Thus, the cooling and condensing of steam into water is a critical aspect of heat management in such systems.