Condenser Evacuation Vacuum Pumps (Power)
Steam condensers need continuous evacuation of air and non-condensables while the turbine runs — a vacuum duty that starts deep and stays reliable through plant load changes.
Two-stage cone-type liquid ring pumps (AT/TC and CL class) reach the lower pressures condensers want and handle the liquid and vapour carryover better than single-stage units.
We have supplied two-stage cone pumps for condenser duties and supply dimension-compatible replacements for the original Nash TC/AT/CL machines, including large units.
The air-removal system is connected to the condenser air-cooler section and must cope with air in-leakage plus saturated water vapour. Startup evacuation and normal holding duty can impose very different gas loads, so the required operating cases and changeover philosophy should be defined before choosing the number and size of pumps.
A discharge gas-liquid separator is normally paired with the pump, and a closed seal-water loop adds a circulation pump and cooler where water use or discharge is restricted. Cast iron is common with controlled fresh water; 304 or 316 stainless wetted parts are considered for brackish water, chlorides or corrosive contamination. Packing offers straightforward maintenance, while mechanical seals reduce routine shaft leakage.
Performance should be corrected for the actual seal-water temperature and the saturated nature of the inlet gas, not taken from a dry-air curve at a different water condition. At low condenser pressure, inadequate liquid temperature margin can reduce capacity and promote cavitation. Confirm cooling-water availability, anti-cavitation provisions and stable operation across expected turbine loads.
Pumps for this duty: