1. What is Cooling Tower Efficiency?

Definition: Cooling tower efficiency measures how effectively the tower transfers heat from water to air, comparing actual cooling to maximum possible cooling.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers evaluate cooling tower performance and identify potential issues.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Range — Temperature difference between inlet and outlet water (°C)
• Approach — Difference between outlet water temperature and ambient wet bulb temperature (°C)

Explanation: The formula compares the actual cooling achieved (Range) to the maximum possible cooling (Range + Approach).

3. Importance of Cooling Tower Efficiency

Details: Higher efficiency means better heat transfer, lower energy consumption, and reduced operating costs. Typical efficiency ranges from 60-75%.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Measure hot water inlet and cold water outlet temperatures to determine Range
• Measure ambient wet bulb temperature (using a psychrometer)
• Calculate Approach as (outlet water temp - wet bulb temp)
• Both values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good efficiency percentage?
A: Most cooling towers operate between 60-75% efficiency. Values below 50% may indicate problems.

Q2: How can I improve cooling tower efficiency?
A: Maintain clean fill material, ensure proper water distribution, optimize fan speed, and control water treatment.

Q3: Why is wet bulb temperature important?
A: It represents the lowest possible water temperature achievable through evaporative cooling.

Q4: What's the difference between Range and Approach?
A: Range shows actual cooling achieved, while Approach shows how close you get to the theoretical minimum temperature.

Q5: Can efficiency exceed 100%?
A: No, 100% efficiency would require the outlet water to reach wet bulb temperature, which is theoretically impossible.