| Parameter | Typical Value | |-----------|----------------| | | ~1.0–1.2 gallons per minute (gpm) per 1 million Btu/hr of heat rejection (or ~0.1–0.12% of recirculation rate per 10°F range) | | Make-up water | 1.5–2.5% of recirculation flow rate for a 10–15°F range | | Blowdown (at CoC = 3–6) | 0.2–0.5% of recirculation rate | | Drift (modern eliminators) | 0.0005–0.005% of recirculation rate | | Total water use per ton-hour | ~1.8–3.0 gallons (air-cooled chillers use ~0 gallons for cooling tower) |
It sounds simple, but overflowing basins are a silent killer of water budgets. If the fill valve is malfunctioning or the basin is leaking, you are pouring money down the drain. Regular visual inspections are vital. cooling tower water consumption
As water scarcity becomes a global concern and utility costs rise, understanding the mechanics of cooling tower water consumption is no longer just the job of the facility manager—it is a critical component of sustainable operations. As water scarcity becomes a global concern and
This is the primary function of a cooling tower. The tower works by evaporating a small portion of the recirculating water. As water turns from liquid to vapor, it absorbs significant amounts of heat (latent heat of vaporization) from the remaining water, thereby cooling the system. As water turns from liquid to vapor, it
= Evaporation + Blowdown + Drift.