Circulating cooling water is one of the most important types of industrial water

and the consumption is determined by the cooling requirement of the process system.The methods to target minimal circulating cooling water flow rate are discussed

either by the water pinch method or by the grand composite curve from the pinch technology of a heat exchanger network.Normally the targets of the above-mentioned methods are different.The difference between the results from the two methods was compared and analyzed

which could provide important guidance for water conservation of industries.The cooling water network of a plant was analyzed with the two methods

and the minimal flow rate of cooling water was determined under different circumstances.