There are two primary types of condensers that can be used in a power plant:
(a) Direct contact
(b) Surface
Direct contact condensers condense the turbine exhaust steam by mixing it directly with cooling water. The older type Barometric and Jet type condensers operate on similar principles. Steam surface condensers are the most commonly used condensers in modern power plants. The exhaust steam from the turbine flows on the shell side (under vacuum) of the condenser, while the plant’s circulating water flows in the tube side. The source of the circulating water can be either a closed-loop (i.e. cooling tower, spray, pond, etc.) or once through (i.e. from a lake, ocean or river). The condensed steam from the turbine, called condensate, is collected in the bottom of the condenser, which is called a hot well.
The condensate is then pumped back to the steam generator to repeat the cycle