1. What is a Cooling Tower Water Usage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the evaporation rate in cooling towers based on water flow rate, temperature difference, and latent heat of vaporization.

Purpose: It helps engineers and facility managers determine water loss due to evaporation in cooling tower operations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E \) — Evaporation rate (m³/s)
• \( Q \) — Water flow rate (m³/s)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (K)
• \( L_v \) — Latent heat of vaporization (J/kg)

Explanation: The formula calculates the evaporation rate by considering the energy required to vaporize water and the temperature difference in the cooling tower.

3. Importance of Evaporation Calculation

Details: Proper evaporation estimation helps in water management, system efficiency analysis, and operational cost calculations for cooling towers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the water flow rate in m³/s, temperature difference in Kelvin, and latent heat of vaporization (default 2,260,000 J/kg for water). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical latent heat value for water?
A: The latent heat of vaporization for water is approximately 2,260,000 J/kg at 100°C, but varies slightly with temperature.

Q2: How do I convert the result to other units?
A: Multiply m³/s by 3600 for m³/hour, or by 1000 for liters/second.

Q3: What temperature difference should I use?
A: Use the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures in the cooling tower.

Q4: Does this include drift and blowdown losses?
A: No, this calculates only evaporation. Total water loss would be higher when including other factors.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a good estimate, but actual evaporation may vary based on humidity, air flow, and tower design.