In this water cooling capacity calculator chart, we’ve used the water cooling capacity formula (Q = m Cp ΔT) to calculate the cooling capacity in kW for various flow rates and temperature differences.
The flow rate is first converted from L/min to kg/s by dividing by 60 (to convert minutes to seconds) and multiplying by the density of water (approximately 1 kg/L).
For example…
- Flow rate: 50 L/min = 50 / 60 = 0.833 kg/s
- Temperature difference: 5°C
- Q = 0.833 kg/s 4.186 kJ/kg·°C 5°C = 17.44 kW
- Converting to BTU/h: 17.44 kW * 3,412.14 = 59,515 BTU/h
Water Cooling Capacity Calculator
| Flow Rate (L/min) | Flow Rate (kg/s) | Temp. Difference (°C) | Cooling Capacity (kW) | Cooling Capacity (BTU/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0.833 | 5 | 17.44 | 59,515 |
| 100 | 1.667 | 8 | 55.81 | 190,448 |
| 200 | 3.333 | 10 | 139.53 | 476,120 |
| 500 | 8.333 | 15 | 523.25 | 1,785,450 |
| 1000 | 16.667 | 20 | 1,395.33 | 4,761,200 |
Water Cooling Capacity Formula
The formula is as follows:
Q = m Cp ΔT
Where:
- Q is the cooling capacity (in kW or BTU/h)
- m is the mass flow rate of water (in kg/s)
- Cp is the specific heat capacity of water (4.186 kJ/kg·°C or 1 BTU/lb·°F)
- ΔT is the temperature difference between inlet and outlet water (in °C or °F)
Let’s break down this formula with an example:
Suppose we have a cooling system with a water flow rate of 2 kg/s, and the water temperature increases by 8°C as it passes through the system.
To calculate the cooling capacity:
- m = 2 kg/s
- Cp = 4.186 kJ/kg·°C (specific heat capacity of water)
- ΔT = 8°C
Plugging these values into the formula:
Q = 2 kg/s 4.186 kJ/kg·°C 8°C = 66.976 kW
This means the system can remove approximately 67 kW of heat energy per second from the process being cooled.
To convert this to BTU/h, we can multiply the result by 3,412.14 (the conversion factor from kW to BTU/h):
66.976 kW * 3,412.14 = 228,517 BTU/h
How to Calculate Water Cooling Capacity?
Calculating water cooling capacity involves several steps and considerations. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process:
Determine the water flow rate: Measure the volume of water flowing through the system per unit time. This is typically expressed in liters per minute (L/min) or gallons per minute (gpm). For the formula, you’ll need to convert this to mass flow rate in kg/s. To do this, multiply the volumetric flow rate by the density of water (approximately 1 kg/L).
Measure the temperature difference: Use thermometers or temperature sensors to measure the water temperature at the inlet and outlet of the cooling system. The difference between these two temperatures is your ΔT.
Know the specific heat capacity of water: This is a constant value of 4.186 kJ/kg·°C or 1 BTU/lb·°F. However, be aware that this can vary slightly with temperature and pressure, so for extremely precise calculations in critical applications, you may need to adjust this value.
Apply the formula: Use the Water Cooling Capacity Formula (Q = m Cp ΔT) with the values you’ve gathered.
Convert units if necessary: Depending on your needs, you may want to convert the result to different units. Common conversions include kW to BTU/h or horsepower.
Consider system efficiency: Remember that the calculated value represents the theoretical maximum cooling capacity. In real-world applications, factors such as heat exchanger efficiency, pipe insulation, and pump performance can affect the actual cooling capacity.
Account for environmental factors: Ambient temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions can impact the overall efficiency of the cooling system. In some cases, you may need to factor these into your calculations for more accurate results.
Validate your results: If possible, compare your calculated cooling capacity with measured data or equipment specifications to ensure accuracy.
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