1. What is the Cooling Tower Capacity Formula?

The cooling tower capacity formula calculates the thermal load capacity of a cooling tower in tons of refrigeration. It's based on water flow rate and temperature difference between the incoming and outgoing water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooling tower capacity formula:

Where:

• \( \text{GPM} \) — Water flow rate in gallons per minute
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference between inlet and outlet water in °F
• 500 — Constant (weight of water per gallon × specific heat × minutes per hour)
• 12000 — Conversion factor to convert BTU/hr to tons of refrigeration

Explanation: The formula converts the heat removal capacity from water flow and temperature difference into standard refrigeration tons.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Calculations

Details: Accurate capacity calculation is essential for proper cooling tower selection, system design, and performance evaluation in HVAC and industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water flow rate in GPM and temperature difference in °F. Both values must be positive numbers for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical ΔT for cooling towers?
A: Most cooling towers operate with ΔT between 10-20°F, but this can vary based on design and application.

Q2: How does this relate to BTU/hr?
A: 1 ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU/hr. The formula essentially converts the heat removal rate from BTU/hr to tons.

Q3: Can this be used for metric units?
A: No, this formula is for imperial units. For metric (m³/h and °C), different constants are needed.

Q4: What affects cooling tower capacity?
A: Capacity depends on water flow rate, temperature difference, ambient wet-bulb temperature, and tower design.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical capacity. Actual performance may vary due to factors like air flow, fill media efficiency, and maintenance condition.