This paper presents a mathematical model of a vapour vacuum system, which is a crucial component of steam power plants of critical importance for energy efficiency. This system consists of three stages, with each stage containing a steam ejector and a gas phase separator in the form of an interstage heat exchanger. The primary purpose of this system is to remove inert gases and maintain the appropriate level of vacuum in the power plant condenser. The presented mathematical model can be used to analyse the operation of the vacuum system in a steady state. Preliminary pressure calculations in various components of the vacuum system show the influence of additional measurement orifice resistance on the vacuum drop in the condenser, which can reduce the efficiency of the entire energy system. It is worth noting that the presented model can be used as a tool for analysing elements of the vacuum system in energy systems.

Proposed is the analysis of steam condensation in the presence of inert gases in a power plant condenser. The presence of inert, noncondensable gases in a condenser is highly undesirable due to its negative effect on the efficiency of the entire cycle. In general, thermodynamics has not provided an explicit criterion for assessing the irreversible heat transfer process. The method presented here enables to evaluate precisely processes occurring in power plant condensers. This real process is of particular interest as it involves a number of thermal layers through which heat transfer is observed. The analysis was performed using a simple, known in the literature and well verified Berman’s model of steam condensation in the presence of non-condensable gases. Adapted to the geometry of the condenser, the model enables, for instance, to recognise places where non-condensable gases are concentrated. By describing with sufficient precision thermodynamic processes taking place in the vicinity of the heat transfer area segment, it is possible to determine the distributions of thermodynamic parameters on the boundaries between successive layers. The obtained results allow for the recognition of processes which contribute in varying degrees to irreversible energy degradation during steam condensation in various parts of the examined device.