1. What is BTU/h For Cooling Water?

BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour) for cooling water calculates the heat removal capacity of a cooling system. It measures how much heat energy is transferred from the process to the cooling water per hour.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the BTU/h formula:

Where:

• \( GPM \) — Flow rate in gallons per minute
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference in °F
• \( 500 \) — Conversion factor (8.34 lb/gal × 60 min/h × 1 BTU/lb-°F)

Explanation: The formula calculates the heat transfer rate based on water flow and temperature change, where 500 is derived from water's specific heat capacity and unit conversions.

3. Importance of BTU Calculation

Details: Accurate BTU calculation is essential for sizing cooling equipment, optimizing system performance, ensuring proper heat removal, and maintaining process efficiency in industrial and HVAC applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter flow rate in GPM and temperature difference in °F. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the cooling load in BTU/h.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does the 500 factor represent?
A: The 500 factor combines water's specific heat (1 BTU/lb-°F), water density (8.34 lb/gal), and time conversion (60 min/h): 8.34 × 60 = 500.4 ≈ 500.

Q2: Can this formula be used for heating calculations?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to heating calculations where water is the heat transfer medium.

Q3: What are typical ΔT values for cooling systems?
A: Typical ΔT ranges from 10°F to 20°F for most cooling tower applications, but can vary based on system design.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a good estimate for water-based systems. For precise engineering, consider water properties at actual temperature and system-specific factors.

Q5: Can I use this for other fluids?
A: No, this formula is specific to water. Other fluids have different specific heat capacities and densities.