Ok. lets agree, We are not expert, which is why we are asking you. If don't have to be too narrow on specs because this is a very low sampling rate with lots of time for things to react/respond. The use is like this: up to 16 temp sensors all feed to the 16 (or 12 whatever is easy to do with least reasonalble expense , the $3.00 chip is preferred over the $500 chip ok). These sensors are fed to a logic section which decides which temps are highest and then picks the top N to turn on a fan or ac unit to cool these areas first. As temps change , other fans or ac units are turned on and the first ones will go off. Bubble sort would work well enough for this. Sample rate can be slow like 1/3 second or even 1/2 second(very slooow). Thus rise and fall times are really not very releveant , makeing the project easier.
Don't make us think too hard on this or we'll be doing it ourselves. A nice simple cheap slow shell program with a rudimentary sort of some kind would be nice , then we can use our one means to modify it. We ask it be in BASIC if possible or either C or Turbo C ++ . BASIC would be best for us so we can more easily modify it.
We'd like to stay away from multiplexing as it is slow and hopefully not needed (your expertise). 12 inputs is ok if thats the max without alot of added problems or expense since we can always use 2 units to get 24 separate outputs if needed. We are thinking 3 bits of resolution is ok since we need only 2 significant digits for the vin' values.
Connecting probably to AND gates just to buffer it a bit and provide more power to run small relays.
Our skills are 80's era , but we do have many languages at programmer level, but using our own pc's makes basic preferred for ease of use. We will do the board layout but first we need to see what this eeprom chip will require, we plan to build the board around it, once the chip needs are known.
Chose this chip because it seems cheap and effective also tried and true also lots of experience available (you guys).
No tools, we probably will have to get some (which is why we leave it to you guys to decide for us the cheapest easiest route for novices who want to eventually be able to do mods themselves using standard IBM pc.
You will need to tell us what tools, and what test boards equipment we need.
Please tell us what the packaged solution Basic Stamp is?
We were thinking about $100- 250 if this works out. We would pay on back end once money starts to flow better. We have massive other expenses at moment so we have to be frugal, Thanks for you comments. J.
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Ok you have 16 Analog inputs and need an Analog Multiplexer For example 74HC4067. If the inputs are high impedance you will need an Op-amp. How many bit A/D do you need 8,10,12? What kind of accuracy and resolution. The outputs are 0 / 5 Volts as in CMOS or TTL? connected to what? you may need drivers.

More important What do you have in skills? Does your group have any software skills? with what?

What about hardware? Who will design and layout this board?

Why did you choose this particular chip?

Do you have any tools like programmers , emulators , IDE's, ect.

I ask this because you may want to buy a development board. If you can find one that suits your needs.
As far as the CPU Is am not sure if there are any easy BASIC setups for the 8052 (Anyone) A packaged solution like the BASIC Stamp may be easier.

Do you want to learn anything, or just get it done?

Define a small budget $50, $100 $250 USD?

In the end your task is read 16 analog inputs - sort them, then set 16 digital outputs based on the sort. Assuming the H/W is not too elaborate I would say it should be less than 16 hours maybe less than 8.