In a steam-cycle power plant, what is the role of circulating water after steam passes through the turbine?

• A. The water is released to the atmosphere
• B. The steam is condensed back to liquid water and reused in the boiler cycle
• C. The water is converted to hydrogen
• D. The water is used to cool nuclear waste directly

Answer: (B)

In a steam-cycle power plant, the circulating water’s job is to carry away heat from the steam exiting the turbine so it can be condensed back into liquid water. The condenser uses this cooling water to absorb heat from the steam, turning it into liquid water. That condensate is then returned to the boiler as feedwater, allowing the cycle to keep going and the water to be reused.

Options that would release water to the atmosphere, convert water into hydrogen, or directly cool nuclear waste don’t reflect how a steam-cycle plant recovers and reuses water. The essential idea is heat removal to condense the steam, followed by returning the liquid water to the boiler.