1. What is a Cooling Tower Heat Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat load in a cooling tower system by considering both sensible and latent heat components.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers properly size cooling towers and evaluate system performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Total heat load (BTU)
• \( m \) — Water mass flow rate (lb)
• \( c \) — Specific heat capacity (BTU/lb·°F)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (°F)
• \( Q_{latent} \) — Latent heat load (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 calculations ensure proper cooling tower sizing, energy efficiency, and system reliability.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between sensible and latent heat?
A: Sensible heat changes temperature, while latent heat changes state (evaporation/condensation).

Q2: When is latent heat significant?
A: In evaporative cooling towers where water evaporation contributes substantially to heat removal.

Q3: What's a typical temperature difference?
A: Usually 10-20°F for cooling towers, but depends on design and ambient conditions.

Q4: How do I find mass flow rate?
A: Multiply volumetric flow rate (gpm) by 8.33 lb/gal (for water).

Q5: Does this include system heat gain?
A: No, add any additional heat from pumps or piping separately.