Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator
Static · formula-only · worked example computed when this page was built · no live data
The Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator finds the tower range, approach, and effectiveness for a heat-rejection duty at a design wet-bulb. Example: for a 500 kW heat-rejection duty at a 28 °C design wet-bulb, Heat rejection = 142.17 TR, Range = 5.5 °C, Approach = 1.5 °C, Effectiveness = 0.79 (per CTI STD-201 | ASHRAE 2021 Ch.39 | ASHRAE 90.1 | ASME PTC 23).
How it works
Computed from your inputs per CTI STD-201 | ASHRAE 2021 Ch.39 | ASHRAE 90.1 | ASME PTC 23. Anything the worked example does not state uses this calculator's standard default; the interactive version shows every input and lets you change it.
Worked example (HVAC & Cooling)
Inputs: a 500 kW heat-rejection duty at a 28 °C design wet-bulb.
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat rejection | 142.17 TR |
| Range | 5.5 °C |
| Approach | 1.5 °C |
| Effectiveness | 0.79 |
Computed by WorkHive's calculation engine when this page was built; standard: CTI STD-201 | ASHRAE 2021 Ch.39 | ASHRAE 90.1 | ASME PTC 23.
How to use this calculator
- Read the worked example. It uses a 500 kW heat-rejection duty at a 28 °C design wet-bulb and shows every number in the method.
- Follow the formula with your own figures: it returns Heat rejection, Range, Approach, Effectiveness, computed per CTI STD-201 | ASHRAE 2021 Fundamentals.
- To compute interactively, open the Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator inside WorkHive's free Engineering Design suite (link below). It runs the same method with your inputs.
FAQ
What is a cooling tower sizing calculator range approach?
The Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator is a free online tool that finds the tower range, approach, and effectiveness for a heat-rejection duty at a design wet-bulb. It shows the formula and a fully worked example so you can check the method, not just the number.
How is it calculated?
The result is computed from your inputs following CTI STD-201 | ASHRAE 2021 Fundamentals. The worked example on this page shows a real computation with real numbers.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. WorkHive is free: this worked example is open to everyone, and the interactive calculator runs inside the free Engineering Design suite after a free sign-up (your work is saved to your account). WorkHive is a free, offline-first maintenance platform built for Philippine industrial plants.
Run it on your own numbers
Open the interactive Cooling Tower Sizing Calculator in WorkHive. Free, and a free sign-up saves your calculations, BOMs and scope-of-works to your account.