A closed feedwater heater is always installed on which side of the feedwater pump?

A closed feedwater heater is designed to preheat the feedwater before it enters the boiler. It is always installed on the discharge side of the feedwater pump. This configuration allows the feedwater to be pumped from the heater directly into the boiler, ensuring that the water is at a higher temperature, which improves overall system efficiency and reduces energy consumption.

By being on the discharge side, the feedwater heater can utilize waste heat from the steam that is typically extracted from the turbine or other heat exchangers. The higher temperature of the preheated feedwater minimizes the thermal shock to the boiler when feedwater is introduced, promoting more stable operating conditions and increasing energy efficiency.

In contrast, if the heater were on the intake side, it would not benefit from the pressure provided by the pump, making it less effective for circulating water to the boiler. The same reasoning applies to the return and boiler sides—these locations would be inefficient for preheating the feedwater before it is pumped to the boiler due to their operational dynamics.