1. What is a Cooling Tower Size Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required cooling tower size in tons based on heat load, temperature range, and flow factor.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers determine the appropriate cooling tower capacity for various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Size — Cooling tower capacity (tons)
• Heat Load — Total heat to be rejected (BTU/h)
• Range — Temperature difference between entering and leaving water (°F)
• Flow Factor — Water flow rate per ton of cooling (gpm/ton)
• 12000 — Conversion factor (1 ton = 12000 BTU/h)

Explanation: The heat load is divided by the product of range, flow factor, and conversion constant to determine cooling tower size.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures efficient heat rejection, energy savings, and prevents equipment oversizing or undersizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the heat load in BTU/h, temperature range (default 10°F), and flow factor (default 3 gpm/ton). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical range value?
A: Most cooling towers operate with a 10-15°F range, but this depends on system requirements.

Q2: How is flow factor determined?
A: Standard is 3 gpm/ton, but can vary from 2-4 gpm/ton based on tower design.

Q3: What if I know the flow rate but not the flow factor?
A: Flow factor = Flow rate (gpm) / Cooling load (tons).

Q4: How do I calculate heat load?
A: Heat load = Flow rate (gpm) × 500 × Range (°F).

Q5: Does this include safety factors?
A: No, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated size for design margins.