BTU in Cooling Tower

Cooling Tower Capacity Formula:

\[ Q = m \times c \times \Delta T + Q_{\text{latent}} \]

Water Mass Flow Rate:

Specific Heat Capacity:

BTU/lb·°F

Temperature Difference:

°F

Latent Heat (if applicable):

BTU

Cooling Capacity (BTU):

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1. What is Cooling Tower Capacity Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the heat removal capacity of a cooling tower in British Thermal Units (BTU) based on water flow, temperature difference, and latent heat.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers evaluate cooling tower performance and capacity requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ Q = m \times c \times \Delta T + Q_{\text{latent}} \]

Where:

\( Q \) — Total heat removal capacity (BTU)
\( m \) — Mass flow rate of water (lb)
\( c \) — Specific heat capacity of water (BTU/lb·°F)
\( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference between inlet and outlet (°F)
\( Q_{\text{latent}} \) — Latent heat from evaporation (BTU)

Explanation: The calculator sums the sensible heat (from temperature change) and latent heat (from evaporation) to determine total cooling capacity.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Capacity

Details: Proper capacity calculation ensures efficient cooling system operation, prevents overheating, and helps in equipment sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water mass flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 BTU/lb·°F for water), temperature difference, and any latent heat from evaporation (if applicable).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical water mass flow rate for cooling towers?
A: Commercial towers typically handle 3-10 gallons per minute per ton of refrigeration (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr).

Q2: Why is latent heat important?
A: In evaporative cooling towers, most heat transfer (60-75%) occurs through evaporation (latent heat) rather than temperature change.

Q3: What's a normal temperature difference (ΔT)?
A: Typically 10-20°F for standard cooling towers, but varies based on design and application.

Q4: How do I convert this to tons of refrigeration?
A: Divide BTU result by 12,000 (1 ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/hr).

Q5: Does this account for approach temperature?
A: No, this is a basic capacity calculation. For complete tower sizing, consider approach (difference between cold water and wet bulb temperatures).