What type of energy does a cooling tower primarily reject?

A cooling tower primarily rejects waste heat to the atmosphere. This process is essential for maintaining optimal operating temperatures in systems such as power plants, industrial processes, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) applications.

Cooling towers operate on the principle of evaporative cooling, where water heated by industrial processes or equipment is circulated through the tower. As the warm water descends and comes into contact with cooler air, some of the water evaporates. This evaporation removes heat from the remaining water, effectively lowering its temperature before it is recirculated back into the system.

By rejecting excess heat to the atmosphere, cooling towers are crucial for preventing overheating and ensuring efficient operation of systems that generate significant heat during their processes.