1. What is a Cooling Tower Heat Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat load that needs to be removed by a cooling tower system.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers properly size cooling tower systems for optimal performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The calculator sums the sensible heat (from temperature change) and latent heat (from phase change) components.

3. Importance of Heat Load Calculation

Details: Accurate heat load calculation ensures proper cooling tower sizing, energy efficiency, and system reliability.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water mass flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 for water), temperature difference, and any latent heat load. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical specific heat for water?
A: Pure water has a specific heat of 1 BTU/lb·°F, but this may vary slightly with temperature and impurities.

Q2: How do I determine the latent heat load?
A: Latent heat depends on evaporation rate and can be calculated separately or estimated as 10-30% of sensible heat.

Q3: What units should I use for mass flow rate?
A: The calculator uses pounds (lb) for mass. For volumetric flow, convert using water density (8.34 lb/gal).

Q4: How does approach temperature affect this calculation?
A: Approach temperature (difference between cold water and wet bulb) affects tower performance but not the basic heat load calculation.

Q5: Should I include a safety factor?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated load for design safety margins and future capacity needs.