1. What Is Circulation Rate Of Cooling Tower?

The circulation rate of a cooling tower refers to the flow rate of water circulating through the system, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). It represents the amount of water being pumped through the cooling tower to remove heat from the process or building.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the circulation rate formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Cooling Capacity} \) — The cooling capacity of the system in tons
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature drop across the cooling tower in °F
• \( 500 \) — Conversion factor (1 ton of cooling = 500 GPM per °F)
• \( \text{Circulation Rate} \) — Result in gallons per minute (GPM)

Explanation: This formula calculates the water flow rate required to achieve the specified cooling capacity with the given temperature difference.

3. Importance Of Circulation Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate circulation rate calculation is essential for proper cooling tower sizing, pump selection, energy efficiency optimization, and ensuring adequate heat transfer in HVAC and industrial cooling systems.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter cooling capacity in tons and temperature drop in °F. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will determine the required water circulation rate in GPM.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical range for cooling tower circulation rates?
A: Circulation rates vary widely based on system size, but typically range from 100 GPM for small systems to over 10,000 GPM for large industrial applications.

Q2: Why is the 500 factor used in the formula?
A: The factor 500 comes from the conversion where 1 ton of cooling = 12,000 BTU/hr, and with water's specific heat, this translates to approximately 500 GPM per °F temperature drop.

Q3: How does ΔT affect circulation rate?
A: Higher temperature drops allow for lower circulation rates, while smaller temperature drops require higher flow rates to achieve the same cooling capacity.

Q4: What is the ideal ΔT for cooling towers?
A: Typical ΔT values range from 10°F to 20°F, with 10°F being common for comfort cooling and higher values for industrial processes.

Q5: Can this formula be used for all types of cooling towers?
A: This formula provides a good estimate for most conventional cooling towers, but specific applications may require adjustments based on tower design and operating conditions.