Range (cooling tower)

Definition

The temperature drop of the water across the cooling tower, equal to the return temperature minus the supply temperature.

Range is set by the heat load and the flow rate and typically runs 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for comfort cooling. It feeds the evaporation estimate from recirculation rate and range. A larger range for a given flow means more heat is being rejected per gallon.

Related concepts

Evaporation factor · Approach (cooling tower) · Wet-bulb temperature

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 📏 measurement