In a high-pressure feed pump, how do the sizes of water and steam pistons compare?

In a high-pressure feed pump, the sizes of the water and steam pistons are typically designed to be the same. This configuration allows for balanced forces during the operation of the pump. When both pistons are of equal size, it ensures that the pressures exerted by water and steam do not lead to undue stress or mechanical failure in the pump system. The equal sizing helps maintain a consistent flow and pressure, which is critical for efficient pump performance.

In systems where the pistons are not the same size, the dynamics of operation could change significantly, potentially causing inefficiencies or operational issues. Thus, having water and steam pistons of the same size is a practical design choice in high-pressure feed pumps.