The water circulating rate is one of most important primary

variables. Obviously it is a key number in the original design.

A problem frequently encountered is the prediction of
the effects of changes in water circulation rate on the
temperatures of the water entering and
leaving an existing cooling tower. Assume an existing
mechanical draft cooling tower is
operating at the following conditions, and estimate the cold
& hot water temperature when the
water flow rate is increased to 20,000 GPM, assuming no
change in the entering air mass flow
rate, wet bulb temperature, and heat load. (Actually, the air
mass is decreased due to the increase of pressure drop at
the fill with the increase of water.)

Q=massflow rate*temp. difference

From psychometric chart

 Given data: units value
Water flow rate,L1 GPM 16000
Entering air flow rate,G1 lb/min 80488
Ambient wet bulb temperature °F 80
Site altitude Sea level
Hot water temperature inlet,tw2 °F 104
cold water temperature outlet,tw1 °F 89
Characteristic curve slope -0.8
Alternative water flow rate,L2 20000
Alternative gas flow rate,G2 lb/min 80488

Process data:
Range,R1 °F 15
L1 lb/min 133333.33
L2 lb/min 166666.67
Heat load,Q BTU/min 2000000
Liquid to gas ratio,L1/G1 1.6565616
Liquid to gas ratio,L2/G2 2.0707021
Range,R2 12

tw 90.5
tw2 95
tw3 98
tw4 102.5
at tw1, hw1 Btu/lb 56.6478
at tw2, hw2 Btu/lb 63.3426
at tw3, hw3 Btu/lb 68.2591
at tw4, hw4 Btu/lb 76.4013