1. What is a Ton of Refrigeration (TR) in Cooling Towers?

Definition: A ton of refrigeration (TR) is a unit of power that describes the heat removal capacity of cooling equipment.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers quantify the cooling capacity of systems like cooling towers.

2. How Does the TR Calculation Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Tons of refrigeration (TR)
• \( Q \) — Heat removal rate (BTU/hour)

Explanation: One ton of refrigeration equals the heat removal rate needed to freeze one ton of water at 32°F in 24 hours (12,000 BTU/hour).

3. Importance of TR Calculation

Details: Proper TR calculation ensures cooling systems are properly sized for their intended applications, preventing underperformance or excessive energy use.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 12,000 BTU/hour equal to 1 TR?
A: This comes from the amount of heat needed to melt one ton (2000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours (288,000 BTU/24h = 12,000 BTU/h).

Q2: What's a typical TR rating for commercial cooling towers?
A: Commercial cooling towers typically range from 20 TR to several hundred TR, depending on the application.

Q3: How does TR relate to chiller capacity?
A: Chiller capacity is often rated in TR, with the cooling tower typically sized to handle 1.25-1.5 times the chiller's TR rating.

Q4: Can I convert TR to kW?
A: Yes, 1 TR ≈ 3.516 kW. This is useful for electrical system design.

Q5: How does ambient temperature affect TR?
A: Higher ambient temperatures reduce cooling tower effectiveness, often requiring more TR capacity to achieve the same cooling.