1. What is Cooling Tower Heat Load Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat load that needs to be removed by a cooling tower system, considering both sensible and latent heat components.

Purpose: Essential for HVAC engineers and facility managers to properly size cooling tower systems for optimal performance and energy efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The first part calculates sensible heat from temperature change, while the second part accounts for evaporation heat transfer.

3. Importance of Heat Load Calculation

Details: Accurate heat load calculation ensures proper cooling tower sizing, prevents system overload, and optimizes energy consumption.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water mass flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 for water), temperature difference, and any additional latent heat load. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical specific heat for water?
A: Pure water has a specific heat of 1 BTU/lb·°F, but this may vary slightly with temperature and impurities.

Q2: How do I determine the latent heat component?
A: Latent heat depends on evaporation rate and can be calculated separately or estimated as 10-20% of sensible heat.

Q3: What units should I use for mass flow rate?
A: The calculator uses pounds (lb) for mass. For GPM, convert using 8.34 lb/gal × flow rate.

Q4: How does approach temperature affect the calculation?
A: Approach temperature (difference between cold water and wet bulb) determines tower efficiency but isn't directly in this formula.

Q5: Should I include a safety factor?
A: Yes, typical practice adds 10-15% to the calculated heat load for design margin.