$2)$ Can you use a cooling tower at high altitude? Two things change: typical relative humidity values are lower and the air density is lower $($due to lower pressure$).$

You have a power plant that produces $1000$ MW electric $($a typical, large nuclear plant$).$ The boiler produces $3000$MW$.$ Heat is rejected in a cooling tower. Assume the generator is $100\%$ efficient.

$$

$$

You can site this plant in Savannah Georgia, which P $=1$ atm and relative humidity is typically $70\%$ on a $30$C day.

Or you can site in Logan, UT$,$ which P $=90$ kPa and relative humidity is $30\%$ on a $30$C day.

The water from the plant in both cases enters at $50$C and leaves at $30$C$.$ Makeup water is provided at $20$C$,$ and the air exits the tower at $95\%$ relative humidity and $40$C$.$

Answer for each case:

a$)$ The mass flow rate of the makeup water

b$)$ The mass flow rate of the air

Remember that the condenser is a heat exchanger that transfers heat into the stream of water that goes to the cooling tower. You will need a mass and energy balance on this component.

Compare your makeup water flow rate to the Logan River. Its flowrate is in the neighborhood of $200$ft$3/$sec$.$

The mass flow rate of air in each case is a figure related to the height of the cooling tower, so more costs more capital.

Your conclusion is$?$ Nuclear power plant

$($c$)2013$ Encyclop$$dia Britannica, Inc.

intake from lake or river