Refrigeration Plant Operator B Practice Test

Which factor regarding water temperature impacts the performance of cooling towers?

1. Boiling point of water

2. Inlet water temperature

3. Maximum water saturation

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Inlet water temperature

In cooling towers, the inlet water temperature plays a critical role in determining their overall efficiency and performance. The inlet water temperature refers to the temperature of the water that is entering the cooling tower from the process. If the inlet water temperature is high, the cooling tower will need to work harder to dissipate heat and cool the water effectively. The performance of the cooling tower relies on the temperature difference between the water entering and the ambient air temperature; a higher inlet temperature reduces this temperature difference. When analyzing cooling tower performance, the lower the inlet water temperature, the more efficient the heat exchange process can be, as the cooling tower can utilize a greater temperature differential to transfer heat effectively to the atmosphere. While other factors like boiling point and maximum water saturation are relevant in a broader context of water properties under various conditions, they do not directly impact the operational efficiency of cooling towers to the same extent as inlet water temperature. Given this, focusing on the inlet water temperature provides a more precise understanding of how cooling towers perform in real-world applications.