When suitable condensation water is available at low cost, water-cooled condensers are preferred as they result in lower condensing pressures and better discharge pressure control is possible. Water, especially from springs, is usually much colder than air temperature during the day. When cooling towers are used, the temperature of the condensation water can be lowered to a point very close to the ambient temperature of the humid bulb.
This allows continuous recirculation of the condensation water and reduces its consumption to a minimum. Water-cooled condensers can be very compact because of the excellent heat transfer characteristics of the water.
