In an efficiently operating induced draft cooling tower, the leaving water temperature is typically between which two temperatures?

In an efficiently operating induced draft cooling tower, the leaving water temperature is typically between the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. This is because the dry bulb temperature represents the actual air temperature, while the wet bulb temperature accounts for the humidity and reflects the temperature the air can reach through evaporative cooling.

The cooling tower operates by transferring heat from the water to the air, using the principles of evaporation to lower the temperature of the water. As the heated water enters the tower, some of it evaporates, absorbing a portion of the heat and thereby cooling the remaining water. The effectiveness of this process is influenced by the wet bulb temperature, which is typically lower than the dry bulb temperature due to the cooling effect of moisture evaporation.

The relationship between the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures indicates the potential for cooling in the system, with the leaving water temperature falling into this range in optimal conditions, ensuring efficient heat exchange and cooling capability. Thus, the correct response highlights a fundamental principle of thermodynamics in the context of cooling towers.