What does the latent heat removal in a cooling tower primarily occur through?

In a cooling tower, latent heat removal primarily occurs through the evaporation of water. This process is crucial for the cooling mechanism within the tower. As water evaporates from the surface, it absorbs heat from the remaining water in the system, causing the temperature of the circulating water to decrease. This transfer of heat through evaporation is what effectively cools the water and enhances the overall efficiency of the cooling tower.

The significance of evaporation lies in its ability to remove substantial amounts of heat. When water transitions from a liquid to a vapor, it requires energy, known as the latent heat of vaporization. This energy is drawn from the surrounding water, resulting in a temperature drop, which is the core function of a cooling tower.

Understanding this process highlights why the other options do not describe the primary cooling mechanism. For instance, while condensation involves heat release, it does not contribute to cooling in the same manner as evaporation. Heating ambient air pertains to the warming effect rather than cooling. Similarly, cooling of circulating water occurs as a result of evaporation but is not the process through which latent heat is primarily removed. Therefore, evaporation is key to the operation and effectiveness of cooling towers.