Cooling Tower
A heat rejection device that removes waste heat from a building's cooling system to the atmosphere.
Full Definition
A Cooling Tower is a specialized heat exchanger that removes waste heat from a building's cooling system by transferring heat from water to the atmosphere through evaporation. Cooling towers are used in conjunction with water-cooled chillers, rejecting heat from the condenser water loop. They can be open (evaporative) or closed circuit types. Cooling towers are critical for large commercial and industrial cooling systems.
Related Terms
Equipment
Physical assets like HVAC units, pumps, and electrical systems that are monitored and maintained.
Chiller
An HVAC system that removes heat from a liquid via a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle.
Pump
A mechanical device that moves fluids (water, refrigerant, etc.) through building systems.
HVAC System
The integrated system of equipment, controls, and distribution networks that provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Work Order
A maintenance or service request tracked in a CMMS system.
Heat Exchanger
A device that transfers heat between two fluids without mixing them, used in HVAC and process systems.