Points out that water-cooling towers are sized and selected based on economic considerations and constraints imposed by system components. Analyses the cost-optimal selection of the cooling tower range and approach using non-linear programming techniques. Compares results for stand-alone cooling towers with those of chiller-cooling tower systems. Gives a sensitivity-analysis which provides insight into the importance of design parameters. Presents some practical guidelines for cooling tower sizing.

KEYWORDS: Cooling towers, sizing, selecting, economics, comparing, costs