Which system provides a means of removing non-condensable gases released during the condensing process?

• A. Main engine gland exhaust system
• B. Air ejector system
• C. Condenser cooling system
• D. Main seawater pump

Answer: (A)

Non-condensable gases such as air must be removed from the condenser to maintain a high vacuum and efficient condensation. The air ejector system is designed for this purpose: it uses motive steam to entrain and lift those gases out of the condenser and discharge them overboard, keeping the condenser atmosphere as close to vacuum as possible. The gland exhaust system vents steam from the shaft gland, not from the condenser. The condenser cooling system and the main seawater pump deal with providing cooling water for condensation, not with removing non-condensables. So the air ejector system is the means that removes the non-condensable gases released during the condensing process.