1. What is the Nominal Cooling Tower Ton Calculation?

The nominal cooling tower ton calculation estimates the cooling capacity of a tower based on water flow rate and temperature difference. It provides a standardized way to compare cooling tower performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooling tower ton equation:

Where:

• \( GPM \) — Water flow rate in gallons per minute
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference in degrees Fahrenheit
• 24 — Conversion factor (1 ton of cooling = 24,000 BTU/hr)

Explanation: The equation converts the heat removal capacity (based on water flow and temperature change) to standard cooling tons.

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Ton Calculation

Details: Accurate tonnage calculation is crucial for proper cooling tower sizing, performance evaluation, and system optimization in HVAC and industrial processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water flow rate in GPM and temperature difference in °F. All values must be valid (GPM > 0, ΔT > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a cooling tower ton?
A: One cooling tower ton equals 15,000 BTU/hr of heat rejection, which is the amount of heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.

Q2: How does this differ from chiller tons?
A: While both use the ton unit, cooling tower tons account for heat rejection capacity, while chiller tons measure cooling capacity.

Q3: What's a typical ΔT for cooling towers?
A: Most cooling towers operate with ΔT between 10-30°F, depending on design and application.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This provides nominal tons and doesn't account for factors like wet bulb temperature, approach, or range.

Q5: How does GPM affect tower performance?
A: Higher GPM increases heat transfer but also increases pump energy and may reduce efficiency if beyond design limits.