Application of Supply and Target Based Superstructure for the Optimal Placement of Multiple Utilities in Heat Exchanger Networks.

Abstract

Process synthesis techniques have been applied to reduced energy consumption on processing plants (thereby reducing their environmental impact) , as well as the mass load of contaminants released into the environment. In this paper we implore the use of a particular set of mathematical programming techniques for the reduction of the energy requirement in a heat exchange network (HEN) by optimizing the use of utilities at different levels . The supply based superstructure (SBS), the supply and target based superstructure (S &TBS) and the target and supply based superstructure (T&SBS) are applied to the optimal placement of multiple utilities for the minimization of total annual cost (TAC) in (HENs). The superstructure presented in this study place multiple utility along the superstructures . The results compare well with those of other researchers in terms TACs and the solution utilized minimum number of utilities which is friendlier to the environment.