1. What is Cooling Tower Capacity in TR?

Definition: This calculator determines the cooling tower capacity in tons of refrigeration (TR) based on the heat load in BTU/hour.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and technicians size cooling towers for various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Cooling tower capacity (tons of refrigeration)
• \( Q \) — Heat load (BTU/hour)

Explanation: The heat load is divided by 12,000 BTU/hour (equivalent to 1 ton of refrigeration) to determine the cooling capacity.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper capacity estimation ensures efficient cooling system operation, energy savings, and prevents equipment undersizing or oversizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the heat load in BTU/hour. The value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a ton of refrigeration?
A: A ton of refrigeration is a unit of power equal to 12,000 BTU/hour, originally defined as the heat absorption of one ton of ice melting in 24 hours.

Q2: How do I determine the heat load (Q)?
A: Heat load can be calculated from process requirements or measured using temperature difference and flow rate: Q = 500 × GPM × ΔT.

Q3: Why divide by 12,000?
A: This conversion factor translates BTU/hour to tons of refrigeration, the standard unit for cooling capacity.

Q4: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, typically add 10-20% to the calculated capacity for design margins and future expansion.

Q5: What's the difference between cooling tower tons and chiller tons?
A: They use the same unit (12,000 BTU/hour) but cooling tower tons account for heat rejection capacity rather than cooling capacity.