1. What is Cooling Tower TR Calculation?

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

Explanation: One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU/hour. The formula converts heat load to equivalent cooling capacity.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures efficient heat rejection, energy savings, and prevents system overload or underperformance.

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 unit of power equal to 12,000 BTU/hour, originally defined as the heat absorption rate needed to melt 1 ton of ice in 24 hours.

Q2: How do I find the heat load (Q)?
A: Heat load can be calculated from water flow rate and temperature difference: Q = 500 × GPM × ΔT.

Q3: Why 12,000 BTU/hour per ton?
A: This comes from the historical definition based on the latent heat of fusion of ice (288,000 BTU/24 hours = 12,000 BTU/hour).

Q4: Does this account for safety factors?
A: No, you should add appropriate safety margins (typically 10-20%) based on your specific application requirements.

Q5: Can I use this for chiller sizing?
A: While the tonnage calculation is similar, chiller sizing requires additional considerations like compressor efficiency and operating conditions.