0000000000351217
AUTHOR
R. Imperato
Supertargeting-based hierarchic evaluation for setting paths in relaxation of retrofitted Heat Exchanger Networks
The application of pinch analysis to the retrofit of existing heat exchanger networks is a complex task, which can be hardly standardised due to the large number of unquantifiable design considerations. Top-down and bottom-up approaches have been usually pursued, respectively oriented to relax a Maximum Energy Recovery (MER) configuration and to improve the existing network by removing network pinches. In this paper the bottom-up approach is critically examined, considering a well known case study represented by an aromatics plant; a MER design is also obtained and evaluated, to represent a target for process improvement. The final objective of researches in this sector is the identificatio…
"Thermal penalty factors" accounting for site topological characteristics in pinch design of Heat Exchanger Networks
Pinch analysis allows to determine targets and solutions for minimum energy requirements in process plants, basing on innovative tools like composite curves and table problem formulation, which ultimately allow generating an optimized heat exchanger network design. On another hand, this technique does not account directly for a number of factors which could play a primary role for the practical feasibility of the network. What if, for instance, once identified an optimal lay-out, we realize that some matches are hardly feasible in practice? Could we adapt the conventional pinch approach to keep into account site topological features since the preliminary design phase? In this paper the auth…