Integrated synthesis of process and heat exchanger networks: algorithmic approach

Methods exist for algorithmic process-network synthesis (PNS) as well as for heat-exchanger-network synthesis (HENS); nevertheless, such methods cannot be easily integrated for a variety of reasons. For instance, both PNS and HENS are complex problems; thus, their combination is naturally even more complex. Our previous effort to establish the combinatorial foundation of PNS has yielded a highly effective method involving the P-graph representation; the present approach to the integrated synthesis of process and heat-exchanger networks resorts mainly to hP-graphs adapted from the P-graphs in conjunction with the appropriate selection of inherent intervals of temperature range. This work focuses on the establishment of an appropriate technique for the integration of PNS and HENS. The resultant technique is largely based on combinatorics and combinatorial algorithms. The efficacy of the proposed approach is illustrated by solving an industrial problem.