What is the role of a condenser in a steam system?

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The main idea is that a condenser removes heat from the turbine exhaust steam, turning it back into liquid water and creating a vacuum at the turbine outlet. By condensing the steam, it lowers the exhaust pressure, which reduces back pressure on the turbine and lets the turbine extract more work from the steam, boosting overall efficiency. The liquid condensate is collected and returned to the boiler as feedwater, closing the cycle and reducing the need for fresh water and extra boiler heating. The cooling water that condenses the steam is used to carry away that heat, which is essential for maintaining the vacuum and efficient condensate recovery.

Heating feedwater with exhaust heat is the job of a feedwater heater, not the condenser. Filtering impurities from condensate would be done by condensate filtration equipment, and storing condensate is handled by a condensate receiver or storage tank.