1. What is a Cooling Tower Heat Rejection Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat rejected by a cooling tower in HVAC systems, accounting for both sensible and latent heat components.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and technicians properly size cooling towers and evaluate system performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The first part calculates sensible heat transfer, while the second term accounts for evaporation effects.

3. Importance of Heat Rejection Calculation

Details: Accurate heat rejection calculations ensure proper cooling tower sizing, energy efficiency, and system reliability in HVAC applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water mass flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 for water), temperature difference, and any latent heat component (if known).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical specific heat for water?
A: Water's specific heat is approximately 1.0 BTU/lb·°F, but it varies slightly with temperature.

Q2: How do I determine the latent heat component?
A: For precise calculations, measure evaporation rate or use psychrometric charts based on ambient conditions.

Q3: What temperature difference should I use?
A: Use the difference between entering and leaving water temperatures at the cooling tower.

Q4: Can I use this for other fluids besides water?
A: Yes, but you must use the correct specific heat value for your fluid.

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