Question 258Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) decreased plant operating efficiency. Excessive condensate depression, which is the reduction in the temperature of the condensate below the saturation temperature, can lead to decreased plant operating efficiency. This is because the lower condensate temperature means that less heat is being recovered from the exhaust steam, reducing the overall thermal efficiency of the power plant. The other options are incorrect: A) High condensate discharge temperature is the opposite of what excessive condensate depression would cause. C) Insufficient condensate sub cooling is a separate issue not directly related to excessive condensate depression. D) Overheated air injectors are not a direct consequence of excessive condensate depression.