Abstract: In an industrial plant having a boiler and water cooled equipment, the two water systems are linked by means of a heat reclamation vessel having connecting upper and lower chambers. Tap water (e.g., at 60.degree.-70.degree. F.), after being used to cool equipment such as vacuum pumps, which causes the water to heat to 90.degree.-105.degree. F., is continuously delivered to the lower chamber of the vesel, near the bottom, where the water may, for example, have a temperature of about 95.degree.-110.degree. F. Spent steam (e.g., at a temperature of about 230.degree.-280.degree. F.) is continuously released in the upper chamber, where it is sprayed with water withdrawn from near the bottom of the lower chamber. The steam condenses and the condensate collects in the pool in the lower chamber. The water in the upper zone of the pool is kept at a higher temperature due to the collection there of the steam condensate. That water, e.g., at a temperature of about 185.degree.-200.degree. F.