Deaereating_feed_tank
A deaerating feed tank (DFT), often found in steam plants that propel ships, is located after the main condensate pump and before the main feed booster pump. It has these three purposes:
- Remove dissolved oxygen (“air”) from the condensate
- Pre-heat the feedwater
- Provide a storage/surge volume
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Based on the relevant theoretical Rankine cycle diagram, there are four main processes, or stages:
- Stages 1→2: Water pressure is raised from low to high by one or more pumps.
- Stages 2→3: Water is heated to boiling in either a conventional boiler or a nuclear propulsion steam generator
- Stages 3→4: Steam is expanded in the steam turbine to turn the ship's propeller and power the ship's turbine generators.
- Stages 4→1: Low pressure wet steam leaving the turbine is condensed in the (condenser. A high vacuum in the condenser improves efficiency.
In the practical implementation of a Rankine cycle, it is common to break the pump process (stages 1→2) into three pumps: (in water flow order: condensate pump, feed booster pump and then feedwater pump).