1. What is a Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the total heat load that needs to be rejected by a cooling tower based on water flow rate, temperature difference, and latent heat.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers properly size cooling towers for industrial and commercial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The calculator sums the sensible heat (from temperature change) and latent heat (from evaporation) to determine total cooling requirement.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures efficient heat rejection, prevents equipment overload, and optimizes energy consumption in cooling systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 BTU/lb·°F for water), temperature difference, and any latent heat load. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical temperature difference for cooling towers?
A: Most cooling towers operate with ΔT between 10-30°F, depending on design and application.

Q2: When would I include latent heat?
A: Include latent heat when significant evaporation occurs (typically 1-2% of circulating water flow).

Q3: How do I convert GPM to lb/hr?
A: Multiply GPM by 500 (for water: 1 GPM ≈ 500 lb/hr at 60°F).

Q4: What's the range for specific heat of water?
A: For liquid water, it's about 1.0 BTU/lb·°F, varying slightly with temperature (0.997 at 70°F to 1.006 at 200°F).

Q5: How does this relate to cooling tower tonnage?
A: 1 cooling tower ton = 15,000 BTU/hr. Divide total heat load by 15,000 to estimate required tonnage.