1. What is Cooling Tower Sizing?

Cooling tower sizing determines the required capacity of a cooling tower to reject a specific amount of heat from a system, typically measured in tons of cooling.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooling tower sizing formula:

Where:

• 1 Ton of cooling = 12,000 BTU/hr
• Heat Rejection — Total heat load that needs to be removed by the cooling tower

Explanation: The formula converts the heat rejection rate from BTU per hour to equivalent tons of cooling capacity.

3. Importance of Proper Sizing

Details: Proper cooling tower sizing is essential for efficient system operation. An undersized tower won't provide adequate cooling, while an oversized tower increases capital and operating costs unnecessarily.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total heat rejection in BTU/hr. The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will provide the equivalent cooling capacity in tons.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between BTU/hr and tons?
A: 1 ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/hour. This conversion factor comes from the amount of heat needed to melt 1 ton of ice in 24 hours.

Q2: How do I determine my system's heat rejection?
A: Heat rejection can be calculated from chiller capacity, compressor power, or measured directly from system parameters.

Q3: What safety factors should be considered?
A: Typical design includes 10-20% safety factor above calculated load to account for variations and future expansion.

Q4: Does this calculation work for all types of cooling towers?
A: The basic tonnage calculation applies to all types, but specific tower selection requires additional considerations like approach temperature.

Q5: How does ambient temperature affect sizing?
A: Higher ambient temperatures may require larger towers to achieve the same cooling effect, as they reduce the temperature differential.