______ water usually configured on the tube side?

• A. Natural/Raw Water
• B. Soft Water
• C. Treated Water
• D. Boiler Water

Answer: (A)

In many shell-and-tube heat exchangers used for condenser cooling, the fluid that needs to be cooled—the cooling water—flows through the tubes, while the hot vapor (like steam) condenses on the outside of the tubes. The source for that cooling water is usually natural or raw water from a body of water, because it’s a plentiful and cost-effective supply for open cooling systems. That practical arrangement is why raw water is typically configured on the tube side.

Water used on the boiler side, such as boiler feedwater, is treated and conditioned to prevent scale and corrosion, which is why boiler water and treated water aren’t normally the tube-side cooling water. Soft water can be used in certain plant areas, but it’s not the standard choice for the condenser’s tube side cooling water.