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, including both sensible and latent heat components.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers properly size cooling towers for efficient operation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Total heat load (BTU/hr)
• \( m \) — Water mass flow rate (lb/hr)
• \( c \) — Specific heat of water (1.0 BTU/lb·°F)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference between inlet and outlet (°F)
• \( Q_{latent} \) — Latent heat load from evaporation (BTU/hr)

Explanation: The first part calculates sensible heat load from temperature change, while the second part accounts for evaporation heat transfer.

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical ΔT for cooling towers?
A: Most cooling towers operate with a 10-15°F range between inlet and outlet water temperatures.

Q2: When is latent heat significant?
A: Latent heat becomes important when there's substantial evaporation, typically in open cooling towers.

Q3: How do I find water mass flow rate?
A: Convert from volumetric flow: m (lb/hr) = flow (gal/min) × 8.33 lb/gal × 60 min/hr.

Q4: What if my fluid isn't water?
A: Use the specific heat value for your fluid and adjust calculations accordingly.

Q5: Does this include safety factors?
A: No, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated load for design margins.