Cooling Tower Water Flow Rate vs. Size: Key Factors & Sizing Guide
The size of a cooling tower is directly influenced by the water flow rate (measured in m³/hr or GPM) it needs to handle. Below is a breakdown of how flow rate affects cooling tower dimensions, capacity, and selection.
Flow Rate vs. Cooling Tower Size Relationship
| Flow Rate (m³/hr) | Typical Tower Size (Approx.) | Tower Type |
| 10–50 | Small (2m x 2m x 3m) | Package/Modular |
| 50–200 | Medium (4m x 4m x 5m) | Induced Draft |
| 200–1000 | Large (6m x 8m x 10m) | Field-Erected |
| 1000+ | Extra-Large (Custom) | Crossflow/Counterflow |
Key Factors Affecting Size:
- Heat Load (BTU/hr or Tons of Refrigeration) – Higher heat load = Larger tower.
- Approach Temperature (Difference between cold water & wet bulb temp) – Smaller approach = Bigger tower.
- Fill Media Type – Film fills (compact) vs. splash fills (bulkier).
- Airflow Design – Induced draft (smaller) vs. forced draft (wider).