Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Cooling tower spray nozzle performance characteristics such as the water distribution onto the fill material, air side pressure drop, pump head, drop size distribution and heat transfer in the spray zone were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The aim was to evaluate and simulate the performance characteristics of new and existing types of cooling tower spray nozzles with emphasis on the spray zone. Two medium and two low pressure type spray nozzles were tested and the results analysed. Single nozzle water distribution data obtained from tests was used to predict the water distribution obtained from four evenly spaced nozzles by superposition. The results were compared to data obtained from corresponding four nozzle tests. Computer codes and CFD models were developed to predict the drop trajectories, water distribution, total heat transfer and pressure drop for single nozzles and four nozzle grids. This was compared to correlated data found in literature. The performance characteristics expected from an ideal nozzle was discussed and compared to actual nozzle performance characteristics.