1. What is Cooling Tower Heat Rejection?

Definition: This calculator determines the total heat rejected by a Tower Tech cooling tower system, accounting for both sensible and latent heat components.

Purpose: It helps HVAC engineers and facility managers 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 of water (BTU/lb·°F)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (°F)
• \( Q_{\text{latent}} \) — Latent heat component (BTU)

Explanation: The first term 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.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water mass flow rate, specific heat (default 1.0 BTU/lb·°F for water), temperature difference, and any latent heat component. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical specific heat for water?
A: Pure water has c ≈ 1.0 BTU/lb·°F, but this may vary slightly with temperature and impurities.

Q2: How do I determine the latent heat component?
A: For cooling towers, latent heat typically accounts for 20-30% of total heat rejection when evaporation occurs.

Q3: What temperature difference should I use?
A: Use the difference between entering and leaving water temperatures (ΔT = T_in - T_out).

Q4: How does this relate to cooling tower capacity?
A: The calculated Q represents the thermal load the tower must handle, measured in BTU/hr when using mass flow rate per hour.

Q5: Can I use this for other fluids?
A: Yes, but you must adjust the specific heat value (c) for the particular fluid being cooled.