Besides a lake or stream, which device can be used to cool the condenser water?

The use of a cooling tower is a primary method for dissipating heat from condenser water in various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Cooling towers function by transferring heat from the water running through the condenser to the atmosphere. This is typically achieved through a process of evaporation, which effectively removes heat from the water, allowing it to return to the condenser at a lower temperature. This ability to provide a continuous source of cooled water is essential for maintaining efficient operation in systems that require constant heat exchange.

While heat exchangers and evaporators play important roles in HVAC systems, they do not primarily serve as cooling devices for condenser water. A heat exchanger facilitates the transfer of thermal energy between two or more fluids without mixing them, which can help warm or cool water but does not actively cool it. An evaporator is used to absorb heat from the environment to vaporize refrigerant fluid, which is part of the refrigeration cycle, not specifically for cooling condenser water.

Given the critical role that cooling towers play in maintaining optimal operating conditions and their unique ability to efficiently cool water through evaporation, they are the correct choice among the options provided for cooling condenser water outside of natural bodies of water like lakes or streams.