Which statement correctly describes the effect of reheating exhaust steam between stages?

• A. Reheating exhaust steam between stages reduces moisture in the later stages and improves efficiency and turbine life.
• B. Reheating increases moisture in all stages.
• C. Reheating is used to decrease overall steam mass.
• D. Reheating eliminates the need for a condenser.

Answer: (A)

Reheating between stages keeps the steam drier in the final stages of a multi‑stage turbine. After partial expansion, the steam is sent back to be reheated to a higher temperature before it expands again in the lower‑pressure stages. This raises the average temperature during the later part of the expansion, so the dryness of the steam improves and moisture-induced blade erosion is reduced. With drier steam in the latter stages, the turbine can extract more work for the same overall pressure drop, boosting efficiency and helping extend turbine life by cutting wear from wet steam. Reheating doesn’t increase moisture across all stages, it actually helps keep moisture down in the final stages. It also doesn’t change the need for the condenser, nor does it reduce the overall steam mass required by the cycle.