1. What is Cooling Tower Tonnage?

Cooling tower tonnage is a measure of the cooling capacity of a tower, where 1 ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/hr. It helps in sizing and selecting appropriate cooling equipment for various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( BTU/hr \) — British Thermal Units per hour (heat removal rate)
• \( 12000 \) — Conversion factor (1 ton of cooling = 12,000 BTU/hr)

Explanation: This conversion allows you to determine how many tons of cooling capacity are needed to handle a given heat load.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Proper tonnage calculation is essential for selecting appropriately sized cooling equipment, ensuring energy efficiency, and maintaining optimal system performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the BTU/hr value (must be greater than 0). The calculator will automatically convert it to cooling tower tons.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What's the difference between cooling tons and refrigeration tons?
A: They are the same unit of measurement - both equal to 12,000 BTU/hr of cooling capacity.

Q3: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion is mathematically precise, but actual system sizing should consider additional factors like climate and system efficiency.

Q4: Can this be used for chiller sizing?
A: Yes, the same tonnage calculation applies to chillers and other cooling equipment.

Q5: What's a typical tonnage range for commercial buildings?
A: Small buildings might need 20-100 tons, while large facilities can require thousands of tons of cooling capacity.