Final answer:
Cooling towers in power plants remove excess heat from the condensate by allowing water to evaporate into the environment, preventing thermal pollution of rivers and lakes. They can be used year-round and may have fans to aid in the evaporation process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cooling towers are structures used in power plants to remove excess heat from the condensate, which is the liquid water formed when the steam cools down. They do this by allowing water to evaporate into the environment, which results in the removal of heat.
Cooling towers prevent thermal pollution of rivers and lakes by dissipating the waste heat into the atmosphere instead of returning it directly to the water source. This helps to maintain the temperature and oxygen levels of the water, which are essential for the survival of aquatic organisms.
Cooling towers can be used year-round, including during winter. While they may have fans to aid in the circulation of air and enhance the evaporation process, they are not solely reliant on fans for their operation.