Exchangers specifically designed to condense vapor — transfer occurs by latent heat, much higher per unit mass than sensible. Relatively compact areas for large rejected heat. Ubiquitous at distillation column tops, Rankine power cycles and industrial refrigeration.
Configurations
- Horizontal shell-and-tube — vapor in the shell (condenses on tubes), coolant in the tubes; process standard.
- Vertical — vapor down the tubes; better drainage, application with non-condensables.
- Air-cooled condenser (ACC) — direct condensation with air; thermal power plants in arid regions.
- Barometric — direct contact with water under deep vacuum.
Reliability: non-condensables accumulation (destroys the overall coefficient — needs adequate venting), corrosion by dissolved gases in the condensate, inadequate sub-cooling causing pump-out in cycles, drain connection integrity. Vacuum efficiency (in column-top condensers) is an early sign of trouble.