What is one of the main advantages of once-through steam generators over traditional designs?

Once-through steam generators are designed to continuously circulate water as it flows through the heat exchanger, which leads to significant advantages over traditional designs. One of their primary benefits is their smaller size and rapid startup capabilities.

The compact design of once-through steam generators allows them to occupy less physical space, which is particularly beneficial in installations where space is limited. Additionally, since these generators do not require large steam drums or separators, they can be mobilized and brought to operational conditions more quickly than traditional systems. This ability for rapid startups enhances system responsiveness, allowing for more efficient operation, especially in processes where fluctuating power demands are present.

The other aspects, while valuable in their own right—such as steam accumulation capacity, fuel usage, and maintenance requirements—are not as fundamentally transformational in the way that the smaller size and startup speed are for once-through steam generators. These designs leverage the flow of water to streamline steam production, leading to enhanced performance in a variety of applications.