Help, why can the U-tube water seal function properly to prevent water from entering and stop steam and air from getting into the condenser?

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The principle of the U-tube water seal (also known as a water barrier) is to use the difference in density of liquids to create a barrier that prevents steam and air from entering the condenser. When steam or air tries to pass through the U-tube, the presence of a water seal creates a pressure barrier, as the height of the water column that these gases need to push against corresponds to the pressure they have to overcome. Steam needs to generate a pressure greater than the hydrostatic pressure of the water column in order to push the water seal into the condenser. However, under normal conditions, the steam pressure is not sufficient to push the water column, so steam and air are effectively prevented from entering the condenser. On the other hand, when the condensate needs to leave the condenser, since it is located at the bottom of the water seal, gravity causes it to flow out smoothly through the water seal, while simultaneously maintaining the pressure balance in the water seal. In short, physical principles are utilized, along with the presence of a water seal, to create a mechanism that allows only condensed water to pass through while preventing steam or air from entering, thereby ensuring the proper operation of the condenser. .

Simply put, it’s a simple physics problem – the pressure levels are different