When it’s time to design or select an industrial cooling tower, it’s common to start thinking about models, capacities, or materials. However, before reaching that point, there’s a crucial preliminary step: having the basic technical information that allows for proper tower sizing.
There are six essential data points that make the difference between an approximate calculation and a reliable and efficient solution.
The 6 Essential Data Points
- Water Quality
Parameters such as hardness, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorides, or sulfates influence the choice of materials and the necessary treatment to protect the system against scaling or corrosion. - Water Flow Rate (m³/h)
Indicates the volume of water circulating through the system per hour. It’s essential for calculating the tower’s capacity. - Heat Load
Represents the amount of heat the tower must dissipate to maintain the industrial process under optimal conditions. - Inlet Temperature (HWT)
The temperature at which hot water enters the tower. Marks the beginning of the cooling process. - Desired Outlet Temperature (CWT)
Defines the cooling objective: the temperature at which cold water should exit the tower. - Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT)
This environmental data sets the physical cooling limit and determines the minimum achievable temperature.
Why These Data Points Are So Important
With this information, the provider can:
- Precisely size the tower.
- Select appropriate materials based on water quality.
- Adjust the design to the actual flow rate and thermal load of the installation.
Ultimately, having these six parameters ensures that the cooling tower not only meets technical requirements but does so efficiently, durably, and tailored to the process.
At Torraval Cooling, we always start with this data to design or select the best solution for each client. Because a well-designed cooling tower begins with a solid foundation of information.