Condenser system

1. A method of substantially preventing contaminants from entering a condenser adapted for use within a steam generating system, the method comprising:

providing a condenser;

passing steam or a combination of water and steam into the condenser, the condenser operating in a normal mode if a pressure in a control area is equal to or greater than a predefined pressure and in a non-normal mode if the pressure in the control area is less than the predefined pressure;

monitoring the pressure within the control area to determine if the pressure within the control area drops below a holding pressure, the holding pressure being equal to or greater than the predefined pressure; and

injecting an inert gas into the condenser if the monitored pressure in the control area is less than the holding pressure.

2. The method as set out in claim 1 , wherein the control area is located within the condenser.

3. The method as set out in claim 2 , wherein the condenser is in a non-normal operating mode if the condenser is receiving steam or a combination of water and steam at a supply rate less than that which is required to keep the pressure within the condenser equal to or above said predefined pressure.

4. The method as set out in claim 3 , wherein the predefined pressure is ambient pressure.

5. The method as set out in claim 2 , wherein the condenser is in a non-normal operating mode if the condenser is receiving zero steam or zero water and steam in combination.

6. The method as set out in claim 2 , wherein the holding pressure is equal to or greater than about 1.05 atmosphere.

7. The method as set out in claim 1 , wherein the condenser comprises a steam inlet duct and condenser tubes and passing steam or a combination of water and steam into the condenser comprises injecting steam or a combination of water and steam through the steam inlet duct which communicates with the condenser tubes.

8. The method as set out in claim 7 , further comprising passing a coolant fluid over outer surfaces of the condenser tubes.

9. The method as set out in claim 8 , wherein the coolant fluid passing over the outer surfaces of the condenser tubes comprises air and wherein passing a coolant fluid over outer surfaces of the condenser tubes comprises using at least one fan to force the cooling fluid over the outer surfaces of the condenser tubes.

10. The method as set out in claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is one of nitrogen, argon, helium, and neon.

11. The method as set out in claim 1 , wherein the control area is located at an outlet of a steam operated device.

12. The method as set out in claim 11 , wherein the condenser is in a non-normal operating mode if a pressure in the control area is below a minimum required backpressure for the steam operated device outlet.

13. A condenser system adapted for use within a steam generating system comprising:

a condenser adapted to receive steam or a combination of water and steam, the condenser operating in a normal mode if a pressure in a control area is equal to or greater than a predefined pressure and in a non-normal mode if the pressure in the control area is less than the predefined pressure; and

pressure maintenance apparatus for sensing a pressure in the control area and causing an inert gas to flow into the condenser if the pressure in the control area is less than a holding pressure, the holding pressure being equal to or greater than said predefined pressure.

14. The condenser system as set out in claim 13 , wherein said pressure maintenance apparatus comprises a first sensor for sensing the pressure in the control area and generating a pressure signal, and a controller coupled to said first sensor for receiving said pressure signal.

15. The condenser system as set out in claim 14 , wherein the predefined pressure is ambient pressure.

16. The condenser system as set out in claim 14 , wherein said pressure maintenance apparatus further comprises:

a fluid source containing an inert gas; and

valve apparatus associated with said fluid source and said controller, said controller opening said valve apparatus so as to allow the inert gas from said fluid source to flow directly into said condenser when a pressure signal generated by said first pressure sensor indicates that a pressure in said control area is less than the holding pressure.

17. The condenser system as set out in claim 16 , wherein said controller is in communication with a steam generating plant control system and is capable of anticipating a pressure drop within a steam turbine in the steam generating system based on information from said steam generating plant control system, said controller opening said valve apparatus to allow a maximum amount of said inert fluid from said fluid source to flow into said condenser upon said controller anticipating a pressure drop within the steam turbine.

18. The condenser system as set out in claim 14 , wherein said control area is located within said condenser.

19. The condenser system as set out in claim 18 , wherein said pressure maintenance apparatus further comprises a second sensor for sensing the pressure outside of said condenser, said predefined pressure being defined by said outside pressure.

20. The condenser system as set out in claim 13 , wherein said control area is located outside of said condenser.