Which type of steam turbine allows condensate to be reclaimed for use in the system?

The condensing steam turbine is designed to allow the steam produced during operation to be cooled and converted back into water, which is then collected and reclaimed for reuse in the system. This process enhances the overall efficiency of the steam cycle, as reclaiming condensate reduces the amount of makeup water needed and maximizes the thermal energy recovery from the steam.

In a condensing turbine, the steam expands in the turbine rotor and then enters a condenser, where it is cooled by water or air, causing it to condense back into liquid form. The reclaimed condensate can then be pumped back into the boiler, reducing water consumption and saving energy.

Other types of turbines, such as non-condensing turbines and impulse turbines, do not primarily focus on the reclamation of steam as a production efficiency feature, nor do they typically facilitate the reuse of condensate in a system in the same manner as a condensing turbine does. Steam extraction turbines, while allowing for some steam to be withdrawn at high pressure for heating or other uses, do not emphasize the condensation and reclamation process as a primary function. Thus, the design and purpose of the condensing turbine make it distinct in its capability to reclaim condensate for the system.