This question was asked inGPSC AE (Electrical) Class-2 R&B Department Paper 2025 – Series MQuestion 125 of 179 published · Gujarat Public Service CommissionOpen paper
Q245EasyPower Generation

What is the function of a cooling tower in a steam power plant?

Answer & step-by-step solution
Correct answer: B. To cool down the water from the condenser
Quick explanation

A cooling tower rejects waste heat from the condenser cooling-water circuit to the atmosphere, lowering the water temperature so it can be recirculated through the condenser.

Turbine exhaust steam → condenser → heat to cooling water Warm cooling water → cooling tower → heat to atmosphere

Concept & Reasoning

The condenser transfers heat from exhaust steam to circulating cooling water. The cooling tower then cools that warmed water mainly by evaporative heat and mass transfer. Thus the condenser and cooling tower form two distinct stages of heat rejection.

How to Solve It in the Exam

Condenser cools/condenses steam; cooling tower cools condenser water.

Important Exam Point

Track which fluid each component acts on.

Quick Trick

Condenser cools/condenses steam; cooling tower cools condenser water.

Common Mistake

Calling the cooling tower a device that directly condenses turbine exhaust steam.

Solution diagram – What is the function of a cooling tower in a steam power plant?
Exam tipTrack which fluid each component acts on.
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