STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS

**Definition:** This place covers:

As specified in the head notes of the field F28 , an apparatus using heat exchange for specific purposes is classified either in subclass F28B or in the appropriate subclasses of, for example, classes F22 , F24 , F25 , F26 , or F27 ; or in F28C , F28D .

The subclass F28B covers heat exchangers for converting steam or vapour from its gaseous to its liquid state: typically, a steam condenser has a function to condense exhausted steam from a steam turbine for reuse in the cycle. Steam condensers are widely used in steam turbine power plants. Usually, steam condensers are operated at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, to increase the plant efficiency.

However, F28B does not cover condensers used for separation, nor condensers for refrigeration systems.

In this subclass, the condenser is not characterised by a mixture of vapours to be separated, nor by a separation process, nor by a specific cooperation with steam engine plants or refrigeration systems:

Constructional features related to the heat transfer are additionally classified in F28D / F28F .

**Limiting references (this place does not cover):** - Condensation of vapours; recovering volatile solvents by condensation -> B01D5/00 - Separation of gases or vapours -> B01D53/00 - Drying gases or vapours -> B01D53/26 - Condensation during pre-treatment of gases prior to electrostatic precipitation of dispersed particles -> B03C3/014 - Purifying combustible gases containing carbon monoxide by cooling to condense non-gaseous materials -> C10K1/04 - Condensing arrangements in domestic laundry driers -> D06F58/24 - Plants characterised by condensers arranged to co-operate with engines -> F01K9/00 - Plants characterised by engines being structurally combined with condensers -> F01K11/00 - Fluid heaters having heat-generating means specially adapted for extracting latent heat from flue gases by means of condensation -> F24H8/00 - Condensers for refrigeration systems -> F25B39/04 - Processes or apparatus for liquefying gases or gaseous mixtures -> F25J1/00 - Separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction by partial condensation -> F25J3/06