Which of the following is NOT an element of a typical steam generator?

In a typical steam generator, the main components involved in the production of steam include the boiler, super heater, and economizer. Each of these plays a crucial role in the efficiency and functionality of the steam generation process.

The boiler is where water is heated and converted into steam. The super heater is used to increase the temperature of the steam produced, which enhances the efficiency of the steam when used for power generation or heating. The economizer is designed to recover heat from the flue gases exiting the boiler, which preheats the feedwater entering the boiler, thus improving overall efficiency.

A cooling tower, however, is not an integral part of the steam generator itself. Instead, it functions within the larger context of a power plant's cooling system. Cooling towers are used to dissipate the heat that is rejected from condensers and other heat exchangers, typically in a closed-loop cooling system. Therefore, its role is separate from that of the steam generator components, which are focused on steam production rather than heat rejection.

This distinction clarifies why a cooling tower is not considered an element of a typical steam generator.