1. What is a Cooling Tower Cooling Capacity Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the cooling capacity of a cooling tower based on water mass flow rate, specific heat capacity, temperature difference, and latent heat.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers determine the cooling capacity required for their systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Cooling capacity (BTU)
• \( m \) — Water mass flow rate (lb)
• \( c \) — Specific heat capacity (BTU/lb·°F)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (°F)
• \( Q_{latent} \) — Latent heat (BTU)

Explanation: The calculator combines sensible heat (from temperature change) and latent heat (from phase change) to determine total cooling capacity.

3. Importance of Cooling Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper cooling capacity estimation ensures efficient system design, proper equipment sizing, and energy optimization.

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 (if applicable). All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is latent heat in cooling towers?
A: Latent heat accounts for energy absorbed during evaporation, which is significant in cooling tower operations.

Q2: What's the typical specific heat for water?
A: Water has a specific heat of about 1 BTU/lb·°F, but this can vary slightly with temperature and impurities.

Q3: How do I find the water mass flow rate?
A: Measure flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) and multiply by 8.33 lb/gal (for water at 60°F).

Q4: What temperature difference should I use?
A: Use the difference between entering and leaving water temperatures in the cooling tower.

Q5: When can I ignore latent heat?
A: For closed-loop systems without evaporation, latent heat can often be set to zero.