Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-26 Origin: Site
The Dry Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) for a 3MW steam turbine is a compact and efficient cooling solution designed for small- and medium-scale power generation projects. It is particularly suitable for sites with limited or no water resources, strict environmental regulations, or remote locations where conventional wet cooling systems are impractical.
By using ambient air as the cooling medium, the dry ACC condenses exhaust steam from the steam turbine directly, ensuring stable turbine backpressure control while minimizing water consumption and environmental impact.
In small-capacity steam turbine systems around 3MW, cooling system selection is critical to overall plant efficiency, investment cost, and operational reliability. Compared with cooling towers or water-cooled condensers, a dry ACC system offers:
Zero cooling water consumption
Simple system configuration and low operating cost
High adaptability to arid and water-scarce regions
Reduced environmental permitting complexity
The dry ACC is widely applied in biomass power plants, waste heat recovery power generation, industrial cogeneration units, and small coal-fired or gas-fired steam turbine systems.
The dry ACC consists mainly of:
A-frame or flat-type finned tube heat exchanger bundles
Axial flow fans with variable frequency drives (VFD)
Steel support structure and platform
Steam distribution duct and condensate collection system
Exhaust steam from the 3MW steam turbine flows into the finned tube bundles. Ambient air is forced across the finned tubes by axial fans, removing latent heat from the steam and condensing it into water. The condensate is then collected and returned to the condensate system for reuse in the boiler cycle.
Water-saving operation: No makeup water required for cooling
High reliability: Simple structure with proven finned tube technology
Low maintenance: No cooling tower, drift, or scaling issues
Flexible layout: Suitable for rooftop, ground-mounted, or modular installation
Environmental compliance: No visible plume, no wastewater discharge
Below is a reference set of typical technical parameters, which can be customized according to site conditions and turbine requirements:
| Item | Technical Data |
|---|---|
| Steam Turbine Output | 3 MW |
| Condenser Type | Dry Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) |
| Cooling Medium | Ambient air |
| Design Condensing Temperature | 45 – 55 °C |
| Ambient Air Design Temperature | 32 – 38 °C |
| Terminal Temperature Difference (TTD) | 12 – 18 K |
| Heat Rejection Capacity | Approx. 7 – 9 MW |
| Control Mode | Automatic with VFD fan control |
Note: Final technical data shall be confirmed based on turbine exhaust conditions, site ambient temperature, elevation, and noise requirements.
The dry ACC ensures stable turbine backpressure control under varying ambient conditions. With optimized finned tube design and intelligent fan speed regulation, the system balances energy efficiency and auxiliary power consumption, ensuring reliable year-round operation.
Even under high ambient temperature conditions, the ACC maintains acceptable turbine performance while eliminating the risks associated with water availability and water treatment.
The dry Air Cooled Condenser for a 3MW steam turbine is an ideal cooling solution for modern small-scale power plants seeking water conservation, operational reliability, and environmental compliance. With a compact structure, proven heat transfer technology, and flexible customization options, it delivers stable condensing performance and strong long-term economic benefits.
