92-01: Using The EPRI Test Data to Verify a More Accurate Method of Predicting

Cooling tower performance test data published by EPRI and others is re-examined using a full compliment of modifications suggested by others to the standard Merkel method of analysis. The purpose of the paper is to verify a theoretical way of eliminating the need to use an empirical "hot water correction factor" to obtain accurate cooling tower performance predictions. Data analysis is graphically presented for both the standard CTI method and the modified "off-set" method to demonstrate the significant improvements that can be made.