Condenser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In systems involving heat transfer, a condenser is a heat exchanger which condenses a substance from its gaseous to its liquid state. In so doing, the latent heat is given up by the substance, and will transfer to the condenser coolant. For example a refrigerator uses a condenser to get rid of heat extracted from the interior of the unit to the outside air. Condensers are used in air conditioning, industrial chemical processes such as distillation, steam power plants and other heat-exchange systems. Use of cooling water or surrounding air as the coolant is common in many condensers.
- Condenser (steam turbine) is an example of such a heat-exchange system; it is a shell and tube heat exchanger installed at the outlet of every steam turbine in thermal power stations.
- In chemistry in particular, example include the Liebig condenser, Graham condenser, and Allihn condenser. They are used for distillation and reflux. Commercially available condensers usually are fitted with ground glass joints and come in standard lengths of 100, 200, and 400 mm. Air cooled condensers are unjacketed, while water-cooled condensers contain a jacket for the water.
This is not to be confused with a condensation reaction which links two fragments into a single molecule by an addition reaction and an elimination reaction.
In electronics, it is a less-commonly used word for capacitor; more often found in non-electronic context, such as the automotive ignition system. A condenser microphone uses a capacitive diaphragm element to convert sound to electrical signals.
In electrical engineering, a synchronous condenser is a rotating machine similar to a motor, used to control reactive power flow on an electric power transmission system.
In optics, a condenser is a large plano-convex lens, commonly used in pairs in the illumination system present in projectors, microscopes, and photographic enlargers
de:Kondensator es:Condensador fr:Condensateur mk:Кондензатор nl:Condensor
ru:Конденсатор
