Cooling Tower BTU Calculator

Cooling Tower BTU Formula:

\[ BTU/hr = GPM \times 500 \times \Delta T \]

Heat Rejection Rate:

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1. What is the Cooling Tower BTU Formula?

The Cooling Tower BTU formula calculates the heat rejection rate of a cooling tower system based on water flow rate and temperature difference. This is essential for sizing cooling towers and evaluating their performance in HVAC and industrial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooling tower heat rejection formula:

\[ BTU/hr = GPM \times 500 \times \Delta T \]

Where:

\( GPM \) — Water flow rate in gallons per minute
\( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference across the cooling tower in °F
\( 500 \) — Constant representing 500 BTU per gallon per °F temperature difference

Explanation: The formula calculates the amount of heat removed from the water as it passes through the cooling tower, based on the flow rate and the temperature drop.

3. Importance of Heat Rejection Calculation

Details: Accurate heat rejection calculation is crucial for proper cooling tower sizing, energy efficiency analysis, system performance evaluation, and maintenance planning in commercial and industrial cooling systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) and temperature difference in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). All values must be valid positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the constant 500 used in the formula?
A: The constant 500 represents approximately 500 BTU per gallon of water per °F temperature difference, accounting for the specific heat capacity of water and unit conversions.

Q2: What is a typical ΔT for cooling towers?
A: Typical temperature differences range from 10°F to 30°F, depending on the cooling tower design, ambient conditions, and system requirements.

Q3: How does this relate to cooling tower tonnage?
A: 12,000 BTU/hr equals 1 refrigeration ton, so you can convert BTU/hr to tons by dividing by 12,000 for cooling capacity comparison.

Q4: What factors affect cooling tower performance?
A: Wet bulb temperature, air flow, water quality, tower design, and maintenance practices all significantly impact cooling tower efficiency and heat rejection capacity.

Q5: When should this calculation be used?
A: This calculation is essential for system design, performance verification, troubleshooting, and energy audits of cooling tower systems in various applications.