1. What is Cooling Tower TR Formula?

Definition: This calculator converts heat load in BTU/h to cooling tower capacity in tons of refrigeration.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals determine the required cooling tower capacity for heat rejection systems.

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

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Capacity Calculation

Details: Proper sizing ensures efficient heat rejection, prevents system overload, and maintains optimal chiller performance.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 12,000 BTU/hour equals 1 ton?
A: This standard comes from the heat absorbed by melting 1 ton of ice in 24 hours (288,000 BTU/24h = 12,000 BTU/h).

Q2: What's a typical range for cooling towers?
A: Commercial cooling towers range from 10-1,000+ tons depending on application.

Q3: Does this account for system inefficiencies?
A: No, consider adding 10-20% capacity for safety factors and future load increases.

Q4: How do I find the heat load (Q)?
A: Calculate from chiller specs or use: Q = GPM × 500 × ΔT (where ΔT is temperature difference in °F).

Q5: Is this the same as chiller tonnage?
A: Cooling tower tonnage is typically 20-30% higher than chiller tonnage to account for heat of compression.