Which formula correctly calculates the efficiency of a cooling tower?

The formula that calculates the efficiency of a cooling tower is based on the temperature differences involved in the cooling process. The correct formula states that efficiency is the difference between the hot water temperature entering the cooling tower and the cold water temperature leaving it, divided by the difference between the hot water temperature and the wet bulb temperature.

In this formula, T_hot represents the temperature of the water entering the cooling tower, T_cold represents the temperature of the water exiting the cooling tower, and T_wb is the wet bulb temperature, which is an indicator of the moisture content in the air. The efficiency represents how effectively the cooling tower is lowering the temperature of the water.

By subtracting T_cold from T_hot, you calculate the actual temperature reduction achieved by the cooling tower. Dividing this by the temperature difference between the hot water and the wet bulb temperature allows you to quantify how efficiently the cooling tower is operating compared to the maximum possible reduction, factoring in environmental conditions represented by the wet bulb temperature.

This provides a clear view of how well the cooling tower can cool the water relative to the surrounding air conditions, which is essential for determining its performance. Understanding this relationship is key in HVAC systems where maintaining proper temperatures is crucial for efficiency and effectiveness.