Predictive modeling of a buoyancy-operated cooling tower under saturated conditions - II: Optimal best-estimate results with reduced predicted uncertainties

This paper provides the results of the adjoint sensitivity model developed in the accompanying Part I for a natural draft counter-flow cooling tower. The selected responses are (1) outlet air temperature, (2) outlet water temperature, (3) outlet water mass flow rate, (4) air outlet relative humidity, and (5) air mass flow rate. Explicit expressions for the best-estimate nominal values of the model parameters and responses are also provided, together with the best-estimate reduced standard deviations of the predicted model parameters and responses. The results stemming from this work show that the PM_CMPS procedure reduces the predicted standard deviations of all responses and model parameters.